title: A Monte Carlo study of an energy-weighted algorithm for radionuclide analysis with a plastic scintillation detector.
abstract: Nuisance and false alarms due to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) are major problems facing radiation portal monitors (RPMs) for the screening of illicit radioactive materials in airports and ports. Based on energy-weighted counts, we suggest an algorithm that distinguishes radioactive nuclides with a plastic scintillation detector that has poor energy resolution. Our simulation study, using a Monte Carlo method, demonstrated that man-made radionuclides can be separated from NORM by using a conventional RPM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wook-Geun
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Cheol
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Radiological Emergency & Security Preparedness Department, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Il
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Radiological Emergency & Security Preparedness Department, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Radiological Emergency & Security Preparedness Department, Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hong-Suk
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: chmin@yonsei.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Chul Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Min
keywords: Energy-weighted algorithm; Monte Carlo simulation; Plastic scintillator; Radiation portal monitor; Radionuclide analysis