Award Date

8-2010

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Physics

Department

Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences

First Committee Member

Ralf Sudowe, Co-Chair

Second Committee Member

Phillip Patton, Co-Chair

Third Committee Member

Gary Cerefice

Graduate Faculty Representative

Patricia Paviett-Hartman

Number of Pages

85

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to characterize the neutron energy distribution and flux emitted from the UNLV plutonium-beryllium source, serial number MRC-N-W PuBe 453. This was accomplished through the use of the MCNPX/5 Monte-Carlo particle transport code to simulate radiation interactions within the physical environment of the source and its surroundings. The moderating drum currently containing the source as well as all of the sampling ports were accurately modeled in MCNPX/5. This geometry was then used to simulate the neutron interactions taking place in these geometries. The results of the simulations were then verified by the use of specifically chosen activation detectors and threshold foils designed to accurately convey information on the energy distribution and flux of the neutrons present at multiple sampling locations.

Keywords

Activation foil; Beryllium compounds; MCNPX; Monte Carlo method; Neutron activation analysis; Neutron flux; Nuclear activation analysis; Plutonium-beryllium (Pu-Be); Plutonium compounds

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Nuclear

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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