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. 87–99.

By: R. Gardner n & A. Sood n

co-author countries: United States of America πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
author keywords: detector response function; Monte Carlo simulation; NaI non-linearity; flat continua; Prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

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 3β€³ Γ— 3β€³ and 6β€³ Γ— 6β€³ NaI detectors are benchmarked with the extensive existing data of Heath [AEC Research and Development Report, Physics, TID-4500] for the 3β€³ Γ— 3β€³ detectors and with new data for the 6β€³ Γ— 6β€³ 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.