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A Monte Carlo approach to food density corrections in gamma spectroscopy

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Abstract

Evaluation of food products by gamma spectroscopy requires a correction for food density for many counting geometries and isotopes. An inexpensive method to develop these corrections has been developed by creating a detailed model of the HPGe crystal and counting geometry for the Monte Carlo transport code MCNP. The Monte Carlo code was then used to generate a series of efficiency curves for a wide range of sample densities. The method was validated by comparing the MCNP generated efficiency curves against those obtained from measurements of NIST traceable standards, and spiked food samples across a range of food densities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation Safety Engineering, Inc., 3245 North Washington Street, Chandler, AZ, 85225, USA

    R. L. Metzger & P. Pouquette

  2. White Rock Science, P.O. Box 4729, Los Alamos, NM, 87544, USA

    K. Van Riper

Authors
  1. R. L. Metzger
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  2. K. Van Riper
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  3. P. Pouquette
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Correspondence to R. L. Metzger.

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Metzger, R.L., Van Riper, K. & Pouquette, P. A Monte Carlo approach to food density corrections in gamma spectroscopy. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 307, 1595–1598 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4379-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4379-8

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