Journal of Isotopes (Oct 2024)

MCNP Simulation of NaI Detector for PGNAA Technology

  • Zeliang WANG,
  • Wenbao JIA,
  • Xiaoyan YANG,
  • Zhenhua ZHANG,
  • Yan ZHANG,
  • Can CHENG

DOI
https://doi.org/10.7538/tws.2024.youxian.068
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 37, no. 5
pp. 455 – 462

Abstract

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Sodium iodide (NaI) detector has wide applications in Prompt Gamma-ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) due to its excellent detection efficiency and relatively low cost. In order to obtain the response of the detector to gamma-rays during PGNAA measurement process,a Monte Carlo model was established for the NaI detector to simulate the transport processes of neutrons and gamma-rays. Measurements and analyses were conducted on standard point sources of 60Co,137Cs,152Eu,133Ba,and 241Am,as well as a waterborne source of 137Cs. These measurements were compared with MCNP simulation calculations,and the results demonstrated agreement between the two methodologies. Then,measurements were conducted on aqueous solutions using a D-D neutron generator,and the 2.223 MeV characteristic gamma-ray produced by the H element radiative capture reaction was analyzed. The research results show that the deviations between MCNP simulation calculations of characteristic peaks for the H element and experimental measurements were consistently within 13%,demonstrating that the NaI measurement system model established by MCNP can simulate the transport processes of gamma and neutrons,laying a foundation for the subsequent optimization of the system and other related work.

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