Contribution of cosmic ray particles to radiation environment at high mountain altitude: Comparison of Monte Carlo simulations with experimental data

• Published in: Journal of environmental radioactivity Vol. 153; pp. 15 - 22
• Main Author: Mishev, A.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Altitude; Bulgaria; Computation; Computer Simulation; Cosmic Radiation; Cosmic ray; Cosmic rays; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Models, Theoretical; Monte Carlo; Monte Carlo Method; Monte Carlo methods; Mountains; Radiation Dosage; Radiation environment; Radiation measurements; Radiation Monitoring; Cosmic ray; Radiation environment; Monte Carlo; Radiation measurements
• ISSN: 0265-931X; 1879-1700
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.002

A numerical model for assessment of the effective dose due to secondary cosmic ray particles of galactic origin at high mountain altitude of about 3000 m above the sea level is presented. The model is based on a newly numerically computed effective dose yield function considering realistic propagation of cosmic rays in the Earth magnetosphere and atmosphere. The yield function is computed using a full Monte Carlo simulation of the atmospheric cascade induced by primary protons and α− particles and subsequent conversion of secondary particle fluence (neutrons, protons, gammas, electrons, positrons, muons and charged pions) to effective dose. A lookup table of the newly computed effective dose yield function is provided. The model is compared with several measurements. The comparison of model simulations with measured spectral energy distributions of secondary cosmic ray neutrons at high mountain altitude shows good consistency. Results from measurements of radiation environment at high mountain station - Basic Environmental Observatory Moussala (42.11 N, 23.35 E, 2925m a.s.l.) are also shown, specifically the contribution of secondary cosmic ray neutrons. A good agreement with the model is demonstrated. •Complex radiation environment at high-mountain altitude is measured.•The contribution of secondary cosmic ray neutrons is explicitly obtained.•A model for assessment of the effective dose due to secondary cosmic ray particles for high mountain altitude is developed.•The model is based on straightforward modelling of atmospheric cascade.