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Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
H. D. Warren, N. H. Shah
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 54 | Number 4 | August 1974 | Pages 395-415
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE74-A23434
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A general calculational model describing the effects of neutrons and gamma rays on self-powered prompt-responding coaxial in-core radiation detectors is presented. The model accounts for external gamma-ray interactions within a detector and the subsequent emissions of Compton electrons and photoelectrons. The model also includes neutron-capture gamma-ray and internal-conversion electron emissions. The effect on a detector’s sensitivity of space charge within its insulator is considered. A pseudopotential on the central electrode is introduced to account for Z-dependent variations in the space-charge distribution. Calculated neutron and gamma sensitivities of several in-core detectors are compared with experimental sensitivities. The comparisons are sufficiently satisfactory to label the model as successful in its predictions.