Streamlined Monte Carlo simulation of environmental gamma-ray backgrounds for radiation detector sensitivity comparisons
In a recent effort to compare the detection sensitivity of a variety of gamma radiation detectors applied to in-situ and lightly shielded field laboratory scenarios, the authors found that a lack of “apples-to-apples” background measurements with the different detectors presented significant challenges in the detection sensitivity calculations. To overcome this hurdle, Monte Carlo modeling of the terrestrial environmental gamma radiation and experimental measurements were undertaken. Inspired by the work of Vojtyla to reduce the computing burden of modeling bremsstrahlung emitted from the surface of lead, a related approach was taken to define a gamma-ray surface source that would adequately represent the emission of natural gamma-rays from the earth’s surface. This work will present the definition of a surface source that is based on the potassium, uranium, and thorium content of a local soil, and provide a comparison to experimental in-situ gamma measurements.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1489256
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-133971
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 318, Issue 1; ISSN 0236-5731
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Fast computer simulations of background of low-level Ge γ-spectrometers induced by in shielding lead
|
journal | August 1996 |
Accurate modeling of the terrestrial gamma-ray background for homeland security applications
|
conference | October 2009 |
Initial MCNP6 Release Overview
|
journal | December 2012 |
SYNTH: A spectrum synthesizer
|
journal | June 1995 |
ROOT — An object oriented data analysis framework
|
journal | April 1997 |
Similar Records
Annual Progress Report for the Period July 1961 Through June 1962
Accurate Modeling of the Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Background for Homeland Security Applications