Polyethylene density uncertainty in the simulation of neutron detectors

Weinmann-Smith, Robert K.; Arellano, James; Natzic, Robert A.; Swinhoe, Martyn T.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2022.167667

Title: Polyethylene density uncertainty in the simulation of neutron detectors

Journal Article · Thu Oct 27 00:00:00 EDT 2022 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2022.167667· OSTI ID:1897449

^[1]; Arellano, James ^[1];

^[1];

^[1]

Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Simulations with the Monte Carlo N-Particle® (MCNP®) code are frequently used to study neutron coincidence counters for international safeguards. Reducing sources of uncertainty enables more accurate simulations, which reduces the need for expensive or impossible measurements. Accurately specifying the density of polyethylene is crucial for accurate simulations. The density of polyethylene ranges from 0.88 to 0.97 g/cm³ and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) ranges from about 0.944 to 0.965 g/cm³. The density of a specific detector should be measured exactly for the best simulations. Here, the density of the blue/white Active Well Coincidence Counter (AWCC) bulk polyethylene was measured to be 0.9594 +- 0.0013 g/cm³ at 1-sigma confidence. The density was calculated from repeated measurements of the various polyethylene dimensions for volume, and weighing the polyethylene for the mass. The AWCC neutron detection efficiency was simulated for each polyethylene density. The relative range of efficiencies (3σ) was 3.4% for unspecified polyethylene, 0.9% for HDPE, and 0.3% for the measured density. The impact of modeling small features such as screws was also studied and was found to be a negligible 0.2%. Measuring polyethylene density can reduce its role in uncertainty from one of the largest to one of the smallest contributors.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1897449

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1961933

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-22-29492; TRN: US2310793

Journal Information:: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 1046; ISSN 0168-9002

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Neutron coincidence counting
International safeguards
Monte Carlo N-particle® (MCNP®) simulations
Uncertainty
Active well coincidence counter (AWCC)
High density polyethylene (HDPE)

Title: Polyethylene density uncertainty in the simulation of neutron detectors

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