Physics and Algorithm Enhancements for a Validated MCNP/X Monte Carlo Simulation Tool, Phase VII

Conference · Tue Jul 17 04:00:00 EDT 2012

OSTI ID:1046536

McKinney, Gregg W ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory

Currently the US lacks an end-to-end (i.e., source-to-detector) radiation transport simulation code with predictive capability for the broad range of DHS nuclear material detection applications. For example, gaps in the physics, along with inadequate analysis algorithms, make it difficult for Monte Carlo simulations to provide a comprehensive evaluation, design, and optimization of proposed interrogation systems. With the development and implementation of several key physics and algorithm enhancements, along with needed improvements in evaluated data and benchmark measurements, the MCNP/X Monte Carlo codes will provide designers, operators, and systems analysts with a validated tool for developing state-of-the-art active and passive detection systems. This project is currently in its seventh year (Phase VII). This presentation will review thirty enhancements that have been implemented in MCNPX over the last 3 years and were included in the 2011 release of version 2.7.0. These improvements include 12 physics enhancements, 4 source enhancements, 8 tally enhancements, and 6 other enhancements. Examples and results will be provided for each of these features. The presentation will also discuss the eight enhancements that will be migrated into MCNP6 over the upcoming year.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DHS
• DOE Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1046536
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-12-23090
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ALGORITHMS
BENCHMARKS
DESIGN
DETECTION
EVALUATION
IMPLEMENTATION
OPTIMIZATION
PHYSICS
RADIATION TRANSPORT
SIMULATION