Optimization of airborne alpha beta detection system modeling using MCNP simulation

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and technology Vol. 52; no. 4; pp. 841 - 845
• Main Authors: Sung, Si Hyeong, Kim, Hee Reyoung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.04.2020; Elsevier; 한국원자력학회
• Subjects: FWHM; MCNP6; Modeling; PIPS detector; Resolution; Semiconductor detector; 원자력공학; PIPS detector; MCNP6; Semiconductor detector; Modeling; FWHM; Resolution
• ISSN: 1738-5733; 2234-358X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2019.10.007

An airborne alpha beta detection system using passivated implanted planar silicon (PIPS) detector was modeled with the MCNP6 code and its resolution and detection efficiency were analyzed. Simulation of the resolution performed using the Gaussian energy broadening (GEB) function showed that the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 35.214 keV for alpha particles was within 34–38 KeV, which is the FWHM range of the actual detector, and the FWHM of 15.1 keV for beta particles was constructed with a similar model to 17 keV, which is the FWHM range of an actual detector. In addition, the detection efficiency and the resolution were simulated according to the distance between the detector and the air filter. When the distance was decreased to 0.2 cm from 0.8 cm, the efficiency of the alpha and beta particles detection decreased from 5.33% to 4.89% and from 5.64% to 4.27%, respectively, and the FWHM of the alpha and beta particles improved from 40.9 KeV to 29.84 keV and 25.76 keV–13.27 keV, respectively.