Total Monte Carlo evaluation for dose calculations

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2014 Oct;161(1-4):312-5. doi: 10.1093/rpd/nct296. Epub 2013 Nov 24.

Abstract

Total Monte Carlo (TMC) is a method to propagate nuclear data (ND) uncertainties in transport codes, by using a large set of ND files, which covers the ND uncertainty. The transport code is run multiple times, each time with a unique ND file, and the result is a distribution of the investigated parameter, e.g. dose, where the width of the distribution is interpreted as the uncertainty due to ND. Until recently, this was computer intensive, but with a new development, fast TMC, more applications are accessible. The aim of this work is to test the fast TMC methodology on a dosimetry application and to propagate the (56)Fe uncertainties on the predictions of the dose outside a proposed 14-MeV neutron facility. The uncertainty was found to be 4.2 %. This can be considered small; however, this cannot be generalised to all dosimetry applications and so ND uncertainties should routinely be included in most dosimetry modelling.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Iron / chemistry
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Neutrons
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Radiometry / instrumentation*
  • Radiometry / methods*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Software
  • Sweden
  • Uncertainty

Substances

  • Iron