Neutron facilities in the Philippines

Authors

Alvie A. Astronomo ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2035-4450
Ryan U. Olivares ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute
Cheri Anne M. Dingle ⋅ PH Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Abstract

This paper presents a comparison of three neutron facilities in the Philippines: a subcritical reactor (PRR-1 SATER), an isotope-based thermal neutron irradiator (LUNIS), and a portable neutron generator (PNG). Each facility's design, neutron production mechanism, spatial neutron flux distribution, and neutron spectrum are discussed to highlight their unique capabilities and applications. Monte Carlo simulations were performed via MCNP5v1.6 to analyze the spatial neutron flux and energy spectra. Simulations show that SATER produces a mixed neutron field with 44.3% thermal and 40.3% fast neutrons, LUNIS yields a predominantly thermal spectrum with 78.8% thermal neutrons, and NIF provides a highly directional fast neutron beam with 94.7% fast neutrons. These distinct characteristics support a wide range of nuclear science applications.

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Issue

2025: Proceedings of the 43rd Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Entangled!
25-28 June 2025, National Institute of Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman

Please visit the SPP2025 activity webpage for more information on this year's Physics Congress.

Article ID

SPP-2025-3A-01

Section

High Energy and Nuclear Physics

Published

2025-06-15

How to Cite

[1]

AA Astronomo, RU Olivares, and CAM Dingle, Neutron facilities in the Philippines, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 43, SPP-2025-3A-01 (2025). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2025-3A-01.