In view of assessing natural radioactivity with on-site quantitative gamma spectrometry, efficiency calibration of NaI(Tl) detectors is investigated. A calibration based on Monte Carlo simulation of detector response is proposed, to render reliable quantitative analysis practicable in field campaigns. The method is developed with reference to contact geometry, in which measurements are taken placing the NaI(Tl) probe directly against the solid source to be analyzed. The Monte Carlo code used for the simulations was MCNP. Experimental verification of the calibration goodness is obtained by comparison with appropriate standards, as reported. On-site measurements yield a quick quantitative assessment of natural radioactivity levels present (40K, 238U and 232Th). On-site gamma spectrometry can prove particularly useful insofar as it provides information on materials from which samples cannot be taken. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND
Cinelli, G., Tositti, L., Mostacci, D., Baré, J. (2016). Calibration with MCNP of NaI detector for the determination of natural radioactivity levels in the field. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY, 155-156, 31-37 [10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.02.009].
Calibration with MCNP of NaI detector for the determination of natural radioactivity levels in the field
TOSITTI, LAURA;MOSTACCI, DOMIZIANO;
2016
Abstract
In view of assessing natural radioactivity with on-site quantitative gamma spectrometry, efficiency calibration of NaI(Tl) detectors is investigated. A calibration based on Monte Carlo simulation of detector response is proposed, to render reliable quantitative analysis practicable in field campaigns. The method is developed with reference to contact geometry, in which measurements are taken placing the NaI(Tl) probe directly against the solid source to be analyzed. The Monte Carlo code used for the simulations was MCNP. Experimental verification of the calibration goodness is obtained by comparison with appropriate standards, as reported. On-site measurements yield a quick quantitative assessment of natural radioactivity levels present (40K, 238U and 232Th). On-site gamma spectrometry can prove particularly useful insofar as it provides information on materials from which samples cannot be taken. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-NDI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
