title: A novel algorithm for solving the true coincident counting issues in Monte Carlo simulations for radiation spectroscopy.
abstract: Coincident counts can be observed in experimental radiation spectroscopy. Accurate quantification of the radiation source requires the detection efficiency of the spectrometer, which is often experimentally determined. However, Monte Carlo analysis can be used to supplement experimental approaches to determine the detection efficiency a priori. The traditional Monte Carlo method overestimates the detection efficiency as a result of omitting coincident counts caused mainly by multiple cascade source particles. In this study, a novel "multi-primary coincident counting" algorithm was developed using the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit. A high-purity Germanium detector for ⁶⁰Co gamma-ray spectroscopy problems was accurately modeled to validate the developed algorithm. The simulated pulse height spectrum agreed well qualitatively with the measured spectrum obtained using the high-purity Germanium detector. The developed algorithm can be extended to other applications, with a particular emphasis on challenging radiation fields, such as counting multiple types of coincident radiations released from nuclear fission or used nuclear fuel.
authors.affiliation: *The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Radiation Physics, Houston, TX, 77030; †Texas A&M University, Department of Nuclear Engineering, College Station, TX, 77843; ‡Texas A&M University, Environmental Health and Safety, College Station, TX, 77843; §Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Department of Nuclear Safety and Engineering, Shanghai, China, 201800; **Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210016.
authors.forename: Fada
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Jesse M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Johns
authors.forename: Latha
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vasudevan
authors.forename: Guoqing
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaobin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Poston
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Braby
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*