Verification of a Monte Carlo code system for analysis of ionization chamber responses

The purpose of this work was the development and testing of a Monte Carlo code system for calculating an ionization chamber response to a mixed neutron and photon radiation environment. The resulting code system entitled MICAP - a Monte Carlo Ionization Chamber Analysis Package - determines the neutron, photon, and total response of the Ionization chamber to the mixed field radiation environment. To demonstrate the ability of MICAP, comparisons were made with existing code systems and experimental results. Comparisons with existing code systems verified the accuracy of the neutron, photon, and charged particle transport processes and the nuclear models used to describe the individual neutron reactions. Comparisons with monoenergetic photon calibration experiments and mixed neutron and photon radiation experiments verified the applicability of MICAP for analysis of ionization chamber responses to mixed field radiation environments. The major conclusion of the study is that MICAP represents a unique capability in the area of ionization chamber response analysis and is expected to be useful for many applications in the field of radiation dosimetry. 11 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs