Monte Carlo simulation and experimental validation of a LaBr₃(Ce) detector response to gamma radiation

Authors

Carlos Intalan Encarnacion ⋅ PH Department of Physics, Ateneo de Manila University
Alvie Astronomo ⋅ PH Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology
Raphael A. Guerrero ⋅ PH Department of Physics, Ateneo de Manila University

Abstract

LaBr₃(Ce) crystal-based gamma detectors are gradually replacing NaI(Tl) detectors in gamma spectrometry applications such as environmental radioactivity measurement, nuclear material assay, and explosives and narcotics detection. In this work, we prepared a detailed model of a LaBr₃(Ce) detector and simulated its response to gamma radiation. Simulations were performed using MCNP5v1.6 radiation transport code and ENDF/B-VI nuclear data library. The detector model is validated by obtaining the gamma spectra of two standard gamma sources using the LaBr₃(Ce) detector and comparing the results with the simulated spectra. Gamma spectra obtained from simulations are found to closely resemble the measured gamma spectra for both standards. Detector efficiency for Co-60 and Cs-137 gamma peaks were also obtained from both the simulated and measured spectra and were found to agree well, with percent differences not exceeding 6%. Results demonstrate that the Monte Carlo model of the detector can be used for practical gamma spectrometry.

Downloads

Issue

2019: Proceedings of the 37th Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas Physics Conference

Article ID

SPP-2019-3D-04

Section

Computational Physics and Simulations

Published

2019-05-17

How to Cite

[1]

CI Encarnacion, A Astronomo, and RA Guerrero, Monte Carlo simulation and experimental validation of a LaBr3(Ce) detector response to gamma radiation, Proceedings of the Samahang Pisika ng Pilipinas 37, SPP-2019-3D-04 (2019). URL: https://proceedings.spp-online.org/article/view/SPP-2019-3D-04.