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

Authors

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

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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.