Deficiency in Monte Carlo simulations of coupled neutron‐γ-ray fields

The deficiency in Monte Carlo simulations of coupled neutron-γ-ray field was investigated by benchmarking two simulation codes with experimental data. Simulations showed better correspondence with the experimental data for γ-ray transport only. In simulations, the neutron interactions with matter lead to the production of secondary neutrons and γ-rays based on available cross section data libraries. In both the simulation and experiment, the resulting γ-ray spectra could be qualitatively explained based on probable reactions. However, a quantitative analysis was unsuccessful due to deviations in spectral shape and intensities, and thus restricting the use of this technique. The deviations can likely be attributed to the mode of operation of the codes, partly the way the neutrons generate γ-rays and partly the way the γ-rays are being binned.