Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Monte Carlo Code”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,603 records · Page 89

TU-AB-BRC-12: Optimized Parallel MonteCarlo Dose Calculations for Secondary MU Checks

Purpose: Secondary MU checks are an important tool used during a physics review of a treatment plan. Commercial software packages offer varying degrees of theoretical dose calculation accuracy, depending on the modality involved. Dose calculations of VMAT plans are especially prone to error due to the large approximations involved. Monte Carlo (MC) methods are not commonly used due to their long run times. We investigated two methods to increase the computational efficiency of MC dose simulations with the BEAMnrc code. Distributed computing resources, along with optimized code compilation, will allow for accurate and efficient VMAT dose calculations. Methods: The BEAMnrc package was installed on a high performance computing cluster accessible to our clinic. MATLAB and PYTHON scripts were developed to convert a clinical VMAT DICOM plan into BEAMnrc input files. The BEAMnrc installation was optimized by running the VMAT simulations through profiling tools which indicated the behavior of the constituent routines in the code, e.g. the bremsstrahlung splitting routine, and the specified random number generator. This information aided in determining the most efficient compiling parallel configuration for the specific CPU’s available on our cluster, resulting in the fastest VMAT simulation times. Our method was evaluated with calculations involving 10{sup 8} – 10{sup 9} particle histories which are sufficient to verify patient dose using VMAT. Results: Parallelization allowed the calculation of patient dose on the order of 10 – 15 hours with 100 parallel jobs. Due to the compiler optimization process, further speed increases of 23% were achieved when compared with the open-source compiler BEAMnrc packages. Conclusion: Analysis of the BEAMnrc code allowed us to optimize the compiler configuration for VMAT dose calculations. In future work, the optimized MC code, in conjunction with the parallel processing capabilities of BEAMnrc, will be applied to provide accurate and efficient secondary MU checks.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Particle-in-cell simulations of burning inertial confinement fusion capsule implosions

Anomalies observed in the neutron spectral shift of high-yield shots at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) suggest the presence of suprathermal ions [E. P. Hartouni et al., Nat. Phys. 19, 72 (2023)], implying that kinetic effects play a significant role in burning inertial confinement fusion (ICF) plasmas. Furthermore, recent measurements of reaction-in-flight (RIF) neutrons offer a direct probe of the stopping power in the burning fuel region of high-energy alpha particles and up-scattered fuel ions. We have developed the particle-in-cell code PICNIC, an exactly energy-conserving particle-in-cell Monte-Carlo collision (PIC-MCC) code to simulate the burn stage in ICF. We present results from 1D spherical simulations of NIF shot N210808, which was the first to exceed the Lawson criterion for laser fusion. We find that the suprathermal ions generated by large-angle Rutherford and nuclear elastic scattering (NES) with fusion alphas produce an alpha knock-on neutron (AKN) signal consistent with the extent and relative yield of the AKN spectrum identified in ignition experiments at the NIF. Furthermore, we also find that the inclusion of large-angle scattering physics does not explain the anomalously large spectral shift observed in the experiment.

High-energy-density plasmas↗

Application of the GBFP Method to Electron Partial-Wave Expansion Elastic Scattering Differential Cross Sections Within the Geant4 Toolkit - Paper 69

Analog Monte Carlo simulation of electrons in complex material geometries is generally impractical because the long range Coulomb interactions result in highly peaked differential cross sections (DCS) for scattering and energy-loss and extremely small collision mean free paths (mfp). The condensed history (CH) Monte Carlo method attempts to alleviate this limitation by advancing electrons in fixed steps and sampling angular deflections and energy losses from precomputed distributions obtained from approximate solutions to the underlying transport equation that are valid only for thin layers. Though CH is efficient and is widely employed in production codes (ITS, MCNP, EGS, Geant), step size restrictions and inconsistent handling of material and free surface boundaries limit the ultimate accuracy possible with this approach, especially in applications to highly heterogeneous media. Recently proposed alternatives to the CH method, such as the Generalized Boltzmann Fokker-Planck (GBFP) method, restore the correct transport mechanics by simulating single events based on a Boltzmann transport equation but with efficiency and accuracy achieved through the use of reduced-physics interaction models. Motivated by Lewis theory, various moment-preserving strategies are employed in the GBFP approach to construct DCSs that are less singular, and with mfps shorter than analog. Specifically, the approximate cross sections are constructed to rigorously preserve a finite number of angular and energy-loss moments of the analog DCSs while all higher moments are approximated in terms of the exact lower moments. By systematically increasing the number of moments retained, any desired accuracy can be obtained for integrated quantities, such as dose, reflection and transmission yields, as well as distributed quantities such as energy and angular distributions. For relativistic Rutherford cross section models, the GBFP method has been demonstrated in Monte Carlo simulation to yield accuracy comparable to analog but at a fraction of the cost. One advantage of the GBFP approach is that angular deflection and energy-loss interactions depend only on Legendre moments and energy-loss moments and not the detailed form of the analog DCSs. This feature allows moment-preservation to be enforced through DCSs expressed as a superposition of discrete (i.e., using delta-functions) angular deflections and discrete energy losses. This promotes extremely efficient computation when compared to analog and completely continuous or hybrid discrete-continuous moment-based DCS reconstructions, while yielding highly accurate results for integrated and distributed quantities. In this paper, we demonstrate that the moment-preserving algorithms central to our fully discrete GBFP method can be readily extended to apply to tabulated DCS data, specifically to the partial-wave expansion (PWE) elastic scattering DCSs. Since data libraries for the PWE DCSs for energy and material combinations of interest can be prohibitively large, the GBFP method provides a means to reduce data storage requirements. We implemented our algorithm in the Geant4 Monte Carlo code and all numerical results are obtained using this implementation. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

The multi-scattering model for calculations of positron spatial distribution in the multilayer stacks, useful for conventional positron measurements

The spatial distribution of positrons emitted from radioactive isotopes into stacks or layered samples is a subject of the presented report. It was found that Monte Carlo (MC) simulations using GEANT4 code are not able to describe correctly the experimental data of the positron fractions in stacks. The mathematical model was proposed for calculations of the implantation profile or positron fractions in separated layers or foils being components of a stack. The model takes into account only two processes, i.e., the positron absorption and backscattering at interfaces. The mathematical formulas were applied in the computer program called LYS-1 (layers profile analysis). The theoretical predictions of the model were in the good agreement with the results of the MC simulations for the semi infinite sample. The experimental verifications of the model were performed on the symmetrical and non-symmetrical stacks of different foils. The good agreement between the experimental and calculated fractions of positrons in components of a stack was achieved. Also the experimental implantation profile obtained using the depth scanning of positron implantation technique is very well described by the theoretical profile obtained within the proposed model. The LYS-1 program allows us also to calculate the fraction of positrons which annihilate in the source, which can be useful in the positron spectroscopy.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Poster - 15: Air kerma rate measurements using a cylindrical free-air ionization chamber on the 05B1-1 beamline at the Canadian Light Source

Purpose: The BioMedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) beamlines at the Canadian Light Source offer the opportunity for investigating novel imaging and therapy applications of synchrotron radiation. A necessary component in advancing this research, and in progressing toward clinical applications, is the availability of accurate dosimetry that is traceable to a standards institution. However, dosimetry in this setting is challenging. These beams are typically small, non-uniform, and highly intense. This work describes air kerma rate measurements on a BMIT beamline using a free-air ionization chamber (FAC). Methods: The measurements were taken at the 05B1-1 beamline (∼8 – 100 keV) for several beam qualities with mean energies between 20.0 and 84.0 keV. The Victoreen Model 480 cylindrical FAC, with a specially fabricated 0.52 mm diameter aperture, was used to measure air kerma rates. The required correction factors were determined using a variety of methods: tabulated data, measurements, theoretical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations (EGSnrc user code egs-fac). Results: The experimental air kerma rates measured between 0.270 ± 13.6% and 312 ± 2.7% Gy/min. At lower energies (low filtration), the most impactful correction factors were those for ion recombination and for x-ray attenuation. Conclusions: These measurements marked the first absolute dosimetry performed at the BMIT beamlines. The experimental and Monte Carlo methods developed will allow air kerma rates to be measured under other experimental conditions, provide a benchmark to which other dosimeters will be compared, and provide a reference for imaging and therapy research programs on this beamline.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

A coded aperture with sub-mean-free-path thickness for implosion geometry imaging on ICF and IFE experiments

Inertial confinement fusion and inertial fusion energy experiments diagnose the geometry of the fusion region through imaging of the neutrons released through fusion reactions. Pinhole arrays typically used for such imaging require thick substrates to obtain high contrast along with a small pinhole diameter to obtain high resolution capability, resulting in pinholes that have large aspect ratios. This leads to expensive pinhole arrays that have small solid angles and are difficult to align. Here, we propose a coded aperture with scatter and partial attenuation (CASPA) for fusion neutron imaging that relaxes the thick substrate requirement for good image contrast. These coded apertures are expected to scale to larger solid angles and are easier to align without sacrificing imaging resolution or throughput. We use Monte Carlo simulations (Geant4) to explore a coded aperture design to measure neutron implosion asymmetries on fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and discuss the viability of this technique, matching the current nominal resolution of 10 µm. The results show that a 10 mm thick tungsten CASPA can image NIF implosions with neutron yields above 10 14 with quality comparable to unprocessed data from a current NIF neutron imaging aperture. Furthermore, this CASPA substrate is 20 times thinner than the current aperture arrays for fusion neutron imaging and less than one mean free-path of 14.1 MeV neutrons through the substrate. Since the resolution, solid angle, and throughput are decoupled in coded aperture imaging, the resolution and solid angle achievable with future designs will be limited primarily by manufacturing capability.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Computational Modeling, Simulation and Analysis of the RPI Walthousen Reactor Critical Facility (RCF)

The Walthousen Reactor Critical Facility (RCF), located in Schenectady, New York, is currently owned and operated by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The facility was originally constructed by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) for the research and development of small, portable reactors. Originally designed for highly-enriched uranium fuel, the prototype reactor first came online in August 26, 1956, and was transferred to RPI ownership in 1963. Several changes to the reactor's design and operation have been made, the most notable of which was the conversion from high-enriched uranium to low-enriched uranium fuel. The RCF is an open-pool critical assembly that operates at a low power with a license limit of less than 100 watts. This low operating power permits a much greater flexibility in configuration and operation as compared to other research reactors. Because of this, experiments may be designed that would be unfeasible for research reactors that operate at much higher powers. The RCF's functional capabilities provide opportunities to perform several reactor experiments and measurements, such as: core criticality experiments, differential and integral rod worth measurements, moderator temperature coefficient of reactivity calculations, critical rod height and critical water height measurements, etc.. These experiments are regularly performed in conjunction with RPI course-work education and Senior Reactor Operator (SRO) training. The unique capabilities and experiments that may be performed in the RCF are particularly useful for validating certain aspects of computational analysis codes. A computational model of the RCF reactor has been previously generated and validated using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code. For the purpose of future experiments, this model is also being adapted for use with the SHARP Toolset, which includes the PROTEUS neutronics code, the Nek5000 fluid dynamics code, and the Diablo structural mechanics code. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Uncertainties in the production of iron-group nuclides in core-collapse supernovae from Monte Carlo variations of reaction rates

Core-collapse supernovae, occurring at the end of massive star evolution, produce heavy elements, including those in the iron peak. Although the explosion mechanism is not yet fully understood, theoretical models can reproduce optical observations and observed elemental abundances. However, many nuclear reaction rates involved in explosive nucleosynthesis have large uncertainties, impacting the reliability of abundance predictions. To address this, we have previously developed a Monte Carlo-based nucleosynthesis code that accounts for reaction rate uncertainties and has been applied to nucleosynthesis processes beyond iron. Our framework is also well suited for studying explosive nucleosynthesis in supernovae. In this paper, we investigate 1D explosion models using the ‘PUSH method’ , focusing on progenitors with varying metallicities and initial masses around $M_{\rm ZAMS} = 16\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$. Detailed post-process nucleosynthesis calculations and Monte Carlo analyses are used to explore the effects of reaction rate uncertainties and to identify key reaction rates in explosive nucleosynthesis. We find that many reactions have little impact on the production of iron-group nuclei, as these elements are primarily synthesized in the nuclear statistical equilibrium. However, we identify a few ‘key reactions’ that significantly influence the production of radioactive nuclei, which may affect astrophysical observables. In particular, for the production of ${}^{44}{\rm Ti}$, we confirm that several traditionally studied nuclear reactions have a strong impact. However, determining a single reaction rate is insufficient to draw a definitive conclusion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

An analysis of various solution strategies and perturbations on inputs of the reactor shielding problem - 25584

Previous work focused on the use of automated variance reduction parameters for use in a fixed source reactor shielding problem to solve for ex-core particle transport results. The current work assesses that strategy in light of a fully-coupled Monte Carlo problem run as a critical system with parallel processing and the use of moderate variance reduction parameters set manually. The results from the two strategies compare well. Also, results are compared between the MCNP, Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) and Shift computer codes. Shift and VERA deliver similar results and compare well to MCNP. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Optimizing the Resolution of Hydrodynamic Simulations for MCRaT Radiative Transfer Calculations

Despite their discovery about half a century ago, the Gamma-ray burst (GRB) prompt emission mechanism is still not well understood. Theoretical modeling of the prompt emission has advanced considerably due to new computational tools and techniques. One such tool is the PLUTO hydro dynamics code, which is used to numerically simulate GRB outflows. PLUTO uses Adaptive Mesh Refinement to focus computational efforts on the portion of the grid that contains the simulated jet. Another tool is the Monte Carlo Radiation Transfer (MCRaT) code, which predicts electromagnetic signatures of GRBs by conducting photon scatterings within a jet using PLUTO. The effects of the underlying resolution of a PLUTO simulation with respect to MCRaT post-processing radiative transfer results have not yet been quantified. We analyze an analytic spherical outflow and a hydrodynamically simulated GRB jet with MCRaT at varying spatial and temporal resolutions and quantify how decreasing both resolutions affect the resulting mock observations. We find that changing the spatial resolution changes the hydrodynamic properties of the jet, which directly affect the MCRaT mock observable peak energies. We also find that decreasing the temporal resolution artificially decreases the high energy slope of the mock observed spectrum, which increases both the spectral peak energy and the luminosity. We show that the effects are additive when both spatial and temporal resolutions are modified. Our results allow us to understand how decreased hydrodynamic temporal and spatial resolutions affect the results of post-processing radiative transfer calculations, allowing for the optimization of hydrodynamic simulations for radiative transfer codes.

Jose Arita-Escalante↗

Environmental Characterization Scans Using Sodium-Iodide Gamma Spectroscopy to Determine Ra-226 Concentration in Surface Soil - 16326

The recent natural gas drilling boom has brought heightened attention to the issue of TENORM waste management. Radioactive residues from the extraction, treatment, and purification of materials containing uranium and thorium, or their progeny, pose a public health hazard primarily in the form of ground water contamination. Hydraulic fracturing can liberate formation waters from shale; the high salinity of which can cause radium to move with the water to the surface. The disposal and handling of this water has been a subject of public controversy. For soil remediation projects, radium-226 is generally one of the radionuclides of concern due to its alpha emissions. However performing a survey scan for Ra-226 is difficult because its photon emissions are low energy and have minimal probability of emission per decay (186.2 keV, 3.3% abundance). Additionally resolving its emission from U-235 (185.7 keV, 57% abundance) with field instrumentation is not feasible. Therefore detection of Ra-226 relies on the presence and photon emissions of its progeny. This paper outlines methodology for calculating the minimum detectable concentration of Ra-226 in characterization scans using a sodium-iodide detector array coupled with a multi-channel analyzer. Using progeny ingrowth as a detection proxy requires knowing decay time in order to determine progeny emission rates. Knowledge of site history, process, and prior survey results can be key in determining an accurate decay time. However in the absence of such information in-situ measurements can be used to estimate decay time by comparing observed progeny emission ratios against established values. These values are determined using Oak Ridge National Laboratory's ORIGEN-ARP program to generate photon energy spectra for Ra-226 and its progeny at specified time intervals. Once decay time is established, the detector's minimum detectable concentration can be calculated by synthesizing the expected emission spectra and Los Alamos National Laboratory's Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code to simulate detector response. Traditionally, one of the steps in calculating a system's minimum detectable concentration is to place an appropriate button source under the detector, record the response, and then move the source by a specified increment. This process is repeated until the detector's spatial efficiency has been mapped. Due to the impracticality of performing this with Ra-226 button sources of varying decay times, Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code was utilized to determine the detector's spatial efficiency. A dime sized source with the established emission spectra was placed into the center of a rectangle of soil. This rectangle, including the source, was used as a lattice element to fill the region of space below the detector. The simulation was designed to track the energy distribution of pulses created in the sodium iodide crystal using the F8 tally, and was setup to isolate each source; thereby correlating detector response to source position. The simulation output required post-processing to determine conversion factors from counts per second to disintegrations per second. Post-processing accounted for subtraction of the Compton continuum, and average the data over the scanning pattern to obtain the expected spatial sensitivity during a characterization study. This was performed for the following photo-peaks: 609 keV (Bi-214), and 1764 keV (Bi-214). For calculation of the scan minimum detectable concentration, the surveyor efficiency coefficient from NUREG 1507 was supplanted in favor of a scan speed deviation factor. This was used because the detector utilizes computerized data collection (spatial and spectral). This report finds that, for two shielded 10.16 cm x 10.16 cm x 40.64 cm sodium-iodide crystals with integrated multi-channel analyzers, the minimum detectable concentration in surface soils is less than 1 pCi per gram Ra-226 for a 1 second survey measurement. These results assume a volumetric source with a maximum depth of 15.24 cm and a minimum decay time of 21 days. Verification of the system's capabilities was performed by sending soil samples from scanned areas, and locations where in-situ measurements were performed, to an independent laboratory for analysis. The laboratory results demonstrated that scanned area was principally comprised of soil containing less than 1 pCi per gram Ra-226. This borders the system MDC and it underestimated the concentration of radium in the soil. The probable causes of this is escape of radon gas from the surface soil. Radon is the daughter of radium, and has a high mobility in soil. If the gas escapes, then the progeny used as the detection proxy will be present in lower than expected concentrations. Radionuclide identification using high volume sodium-iodide crystals in low level characterization scans is demonstrated to be possible. Further system refinement will focus on developing a methodology to estimate a radon escape factor for site specific use. Accounting for radon escape in the top 15.24 cm of soil will allow the system to better estimate Ra-226 concentrations in soil. This is a significant advancement over the gross counting statistics used in most studies to satisfy MARSSIM survey requirements, because it will increase stakeholder confidence. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Comparison of ADVANTG Simulations to Simple Shielding Measurements - Paper 36

Monte Carlo (MC) radiation transport simulations, like those performed using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP), can be highly accurate but require time to reduce the statistical uncertainties in the calculated detector response(s). Many different 'variance reduction' techniques devised over the years increase the efficiency of MC calculations, but these methods can be more art than science. Many of these methods are problem specific or require careful tuning of parameters for good performance. One of the best variance reduction methods, in terms of both reliable performance increases and ease of use, is the use of weight windows. Weight windows are derived from an importance map in space and energy that allows the transport code to focus more simulation time on particles that have a higher likelihood of being important to the final detector response. Less time is spent simulating particles that have little chance of making a contribution to the detector response. MCNP already includes the abilities to generate and use weight windows. Unfortunately, generating weight windows can take a very long time, perhaps longer than the original problem. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has led the development of hybrid methods using a discrete ordinates adjoint calculation to quickly develop an importance map (weight windows) for use in a Monte Carlo code. The Consistent Adjoint Driven Importance Sampling (CADIS) method uses an adjoint calculation to develop both an importance map and a biased source distribution that work together. This method is reasonably automatic, is easy to use, and has been implemented in the Automated Variance reduction Generator (ADVANTG) package that works with MCNP5. ADVANTG reads an MCNP input file and a small amount of extra user information and then runs an adjoint deterministic calculation using Denovo. The importance map and biased source distribution derived from the CADIS method can then be incorporated back into the original MCNP input file to enhance the figure-of-merit (FOM) of the calculation. The FOM is a measure of the efficiency of the calculation using the amount of run time and corresponding level of statistical uncertainty in the detector result. ADVANTG-enhanced MCNP input files have been shown to increase the FOM of many types of problems, obtaining the same level of statistical uncertainty in a shorter time compared to standard MCNP. ADVANTG can also generate variance reduction parameters (importance map and biased source) using the Forward-Weighted CADIS (FW-CADIS) method for optimizing mesh tallies. The CADIS method creates variance reduction parameters that optimize a tally's total quantity (flux, dose rate, interaction rate, etc.) and will not generally increase performance for all parts of a segmented tally. To optimize a segmented tally, the FW-CADIS method uses two discrete ordinates calculations to make variance reduction parameters that help compute a segmented tally with uniform relative uncertainties in each bin. This report will demonstrate that using ADVANTG for neutron and photon radiation shielding problems will (1) preserve the standard MCNP results and (2) obtain those results either with less statistical uncertainty or in shorter times than the standard MCNP calculation. The four demonstration problems in this report are based on simple neutron or photon transmission measurements through different materials. All of the problems here used the CADIS method and still saw improvement across the flux tallies segmented by particle energy. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Multi-Physics Coupling to Model a RbCl-RbCl-Ga Target Stack

A computational model has been developed to simulate the performance of the Los Alamos Isotope Production Facility's (IPF) routine production target configuration, which consists of two Inconel-encapsulated RbCl salt targets and one niobium-encapsulated gallium target separated by water cooling channels. The methodology involves iteratively coupling particle transport and thermal hydraulic codes to determine the time dependent behavior of the target. Phase and density changes seen in targets are known to impact beam penetration and distribution. In addition, evidence of energy distributions seen in experimental radionuclide yield measurements at IPF do not match those seen in previous MCNP predictions. Density reduction as a result of heat deposition affects proton energy loss along the particle's track, impacting both radionuclide yields and target design. Accurate modeling of the thermal behavior of these multi-phase targets and the corresponding impact on beam behavior will significantly improve our understanding of incident and exit proton energy distributions and resulting radionuclide yields in downstream targets. Thermal hydraulic modeling, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and heat transfer, was performed with ANSYS CFX while particle transport was performed with the Monte Carlo N-Particle code (MCNP). (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Measurement of the weak charge of the carbon-12 nucleus within the P2 experiment in Mainz

The P2 experiment at the MESA facility in Mainz aims to make a high precision measurement of the weak charge of the proton, and a suitable experimental setup is currently being designed [1]. As high precision measurements of the weak charges of different particles and nuclei are differently sensitive to physics beyond the Standard Model in the form of new quantum loop correction parameters, experiments with a range of different target materials are complementary. We introduce first feasibility considerations for the determination of the Weak Mixing Angle via the scattering of electrons from carbon nuclei in a graphite target with the P2 detector setup. In order to make an estimate of the achievable precision we present analytic calculations as well as Monte-Carlo simulations. The results of Geant4 simulations of proposed experimental setups are included.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Simulation of energy absorption spectrum in NaI crystal detector for multiple gamma energy using Monte Carlo method

The spectrum of gamma energy absorption in the NaI crystal (scintillation detector) is the interaction result of gamma photon with NaI crystal, and it’s associated with the photon gamma energy incoming to the detector. Through a simulation approach, we can perform an early observation of gamma energy absorption spectrum in a scintillator crystal detector (NaI) before the experiment conducted. In this paper, we present a simulation model result of gamma energy absorption spectrum for energy 100-700 keV (i.e. 297 keV, 400 keV and 662 keV). This simulation developed based on the concept of photon beam point source distribution and photon cross section interaction with the Monte Carlo method. Our computational code has been successfully predicting the multiple energy peaks absorption spectrum, which derived from multiple photon energy sources.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Calibration of neutron-yield diagnostics in attenuating and scattering environments

We have performed absolute calibrations of a fusion-neutron-yield copper-activation diagnostic in environments that significantly attenuate and scatter neutrons. We have measured attenuation and scattering effects and have compared the measurements to Monte Carlo simulations using the Monte Carlo N-Particle code. We find that measurements and simulations are consistent within 10%.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗