Validation of a foil selector tool and novel neutron spectrum unfolding codes at ChipIR

Neutron spectrum unfolding is a technique that allows the energy of neutrons produced at facilities like ChipIR to be determined from indirect methods of material irradiation. The accuracy and efficacy of the unfolding technique is often highly sensitive to the materials selected for irradiation by the neutron field of interest. To optimise this process a foil selector tool has been developed as part of a joint PhD project between the UKAEA, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Brighton. The code automates the process of foil selection and provides users with the optimal set of material samples, as well as suggestions for foil diameter and thickness, to achieve the best results when neutron spectrum unfolding is applied post-irradiation. We are looking to perform the first experimental validation of this foil selector code and the novel neutron spectrum unfolding methods.