Measuring and Simulating Neutron Capture γ-Ray Spectra using the RPI γ-Ray Multiplicity Detector
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Accurate modeling of neutron induced capture γ-ray production is essential for many applications such as reactor and shielding calculations, understanding γ-ray heating in critical systems, and non-proliferation efforts. To determine the accuracy of nuclear data evaluations and simulation tools used to transport capture γ-cascades, the 16-segment γ-ray multiplicity NaI(T1) detector at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Gaerttner Linear Accelerator Center has been upgraded to measure neutron capture γ-ray spectra and multiplicity as a function of energy. Several samples including Fe, Mn, Co, Ta, and 235,238U have been measured using the time-of-flight method for incident neutrons in the low-energy region from 0.01 – 100 eV. A new method has been developed to model the event-by-event capture γ-ray cascade energy deposition in the detector array using DICEBOX and a modified version of MCNP-6.2. The method has been validated using 22Na and 60Co coincidence sources and the well-studied thermal 56Fe(n,γ) γ-ray intensities. Additional measured samples will be used for further validation and analysis. The new modeling capabilities coupled with measured γ-ray spectra can be used to test transport codes and nuclear data evaluations of neutron capture γ-rays used to simulate experimental results.
Source: EPJ Web of Conferences
Authors: Katelyn Cook, Yaron Danon, Amanda Lewis, Devin Barry, Michael Rapp, Adam Daskalakis, Peter Brain, Dominik Fritz, Alec Golas, Adam Ney, Gregory Siemers, Sukhjinder Singh, Benjamin Wang
Institutions: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Naval Nuclear Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Radiation
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4411655178