Neutron activation and prompt gamma intensity in Ar/CO$_{2}$-filled neutron detectors at the European Spallation Source

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations using MCNP6.1 were performed to study the effect of neutron activation in Ar/CO$_{2}$ neutron detector counting gas. A general MCNP model was built and validated with simple analytical calculations. Simulations and calculations agree that only the $^{40}$Ar activation can have a considerable effect. It was shown that neither the prompt gamma intensity from the $^{40}$Ar neutron capture nor the produced $^{41}$Ar activity have an impact in terms of gamma dose rate around the detector and background level.

38 pages, LaTeX; formal changes: minor restructuring of Section 1 and 2; new references added, typos corrected; Figure 2 slightly modified for better visibility