2004 article
A Monte Carlo simulation approach for generating NaI detector response functions (DRFs) that accounts for non-linearity and variable flat continua
Gardner, R. P., & Sood, A. (2004, January). NUCLEAR INSTRUMENTS & METHODS IN PHYSICS RESEARCH SECTION B-BEAM INTERACTIONS WITH MATERIALS AND ATOMS, Vol. 213, pp. 87β99.
A new approach to generating detector response functions (DRFs) for NaI detectors is developed and demonstrated. It consists of using Monte Carlo simulation with a specific purpose code (named g03) that utilizes relatively rigorous gamma-ray transport with very simple electron transport. The approach accounts for two phenomena that have not been previously treated in this way: NaI non-linearity and the variable flat continua part of the DRF. The first is accounted for by utilizing the known non-linear relationship between NaI scintillation efficiency and deposited electron energy within the Monte Carlo code. The second is accounted for by using a semi-empirical relationship between electron range and incident gamma-ray energy within the Monte Carlo code. The resulting DRFs for 3β³ Γ 3β³ and 6β³ Γ 6β³ NaI detectors are benchmarked with the extensive existing data of Heath [AEC Research and Development Report, Physics, TID-4500] for the 3β³ Γ 3β³ detectors and with new data for the 6β³ Γ 6β³ detectors. Results indicate that the approach is accurate and the use of this approach should increase the accuracy of prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis significantly.