Monte Carlo Code for Neutron Calculation Driven by Intense Laser with Pitcher-catcher Scheme

doi:10.19596/j.cnki.1001-246x.8617

Abstract

Abstract:

The programming and development of the Monte Carlo code MCNRC for neutron calculation driven by intense laser with pitcher-catcher scheme are described in this study. We describe the physical models and databases utilized in the MCNRC's ion transport and neutron production processes, and we compare simulation results to experimental or other simulated data to demonstrate the validity of MCNRC. The program is applied to three neutron sources that are based on various nuclear reactions, including the proton-lithium reaction, the deuterium-lithium reaction, and the lithium-proton reaction. The results show that MCNRC has preferable simulation capabilities for these neutron sources.

Key words: laser-driven neutron source, Monte Carlo code, ion transport, neutron-producing nuclear reactions

Yilin YAO, Zhenbo WU, Bin QIAO. Monte Carlo Code for Neutron Calculation Driven by Intense Laser with Pitcher-catcher Scheme[J]. Chinese Journal of Computational Physics, 2023, 40(2): 241-247.

Figures/Tables 4

Fig.1 The physical processes considered in the MCNRC contain ion transport processes and neutron production processes

Fig.2 (a) The reaction cross section and stopping power data used in MCNRC for the proton-lithium reaction; (b) The total neutron yield produced by incident proton beam with different energies simulated in MCNRC compared with the numerical calculation

Fig.3 (a) The zero-degree double differential cross-section data for incident deuterons with different energies used in the MCNRC for the deuteron-lithium reactions; (b) The comparison of the neutron energy spectra at three angles (0°, 15°, 30°) produced by reactions between deuterons (Ed = 13.4 MeV) and lithium target with the experimental data

Fig.4 (a) The maximum angles of neutron production from the reaction of lithium ion with hydrogen at different energies; (b) The comparison of zero-degree angle double differential cross section for the lithium proton reaction calculated by the coordinate system transformation with the experimental data; (c) The forward neutron energy spectra produced by MCNRC simulations The top figure displays lithium ions with different energies (13.5~16.5 MeV) incident on a thin 4 μm-thick CH2 target

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