• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 2016

Background: With the increase in the number of particle accelerator facilities under either operation or construction, the accurate calculation using Monte Carlo codes become more important in the shielding design and radiation safety evaluation of accelerator facilities. Materials and Methods: The calculations with different physics models were applied in both of cases: using only physics model and using the mix and match method of MCNPX code. The issued conditions were the interactions of 600 MeV proton and $290MeV{\cdot}n^{-1}$ oxygen with a carbon target. Both of cross-section libraries, JENDL High Energy File 2007 (JENDL/HE-2007) and LA150, were tested in this calculation. In the case of oxygen ion interactions, the calculation results using LAQGSM physics model and JENDL/HE-2007 library were compared with D. Satoh's experimental data. Other Monte Carlo calculations using PHITS and FLUKA codes were also carried out for further benchmarking study. Results and Discussion: It was clearly found that the physics models, especially intra-nuclear cascade model, gave a great effect to determine proton-induced secondary neutron spectrum in MCNPX code. The variety of physics models related to heavy ion interactions did not make big difference on the secondary particle productions. Conclusion: The variations of secondary neutron spectra and particle transports depending on various physics models in MCNPX code were studied and the result of this study can be used for the shielding design and radiation safety evaluation.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2020

Muons and neutrons are representative secondary particles that are generated by interactions between primary cosmic ray particles (mostly protons) and the nuclei of atmospheric gas compounds. Previous studies reported that muons experience seasonal variations because of the meteorological effects of temperature. The intensity of neutrons has a typical modulation with various periods and reasons, such as diurnal and solar variation or transient events. This paper reports that cosmic ray particles, which were observed by neutron monitors, have seasonal variations using the daily data at the Oulu neutron monitor. To eliminate the effects of solar activity across time, the daily data were normalized by two different transformations: transformations with respect to the grand mean and yearly mean. The data after transformation with respect to the yearly mean showed more statistical stability and clear seasonal variations. On the other hand, it is difficult to determine if the seasonal variation results from terrestrial effects, such as meteorological factors, or extraterrestrial effects, such as the position of the Earth in its orbit of revolution.

• 한국초전도학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.07a
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• pp.11-11
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• 2009

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Telematics and Electronics
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1900-1905
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• 1990

In this study, the thermal neutron effects on optical fiber are examined theoretically. Also, the induced loss by thermal neutron irradiation in optical fibers is measured at the optical wavelengths of 0.85 and 1.3\ulcorner, respectively, and the results are analyzed. Thermal neutrons cause nuclear reaction with fiber compositions. So secondary ionizing radiations of high energy are generated. Color centers formed by these secondary ionizing rasiations increase transmission loss of optical fiber by absorbing propagating light in fiber core. As a result of experiment, owing to Ge, P, and B doping effects, the induced loss in multimode fibers has been 5 tmes larger than that in single mode fibers at 1.3 \ulcorner wavelengh. In case of multimode fibers, the loss at 0.8 \ulcorner wavelength region more suceptible for radiations has been twice higher than at 1.3\ulcorner.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.2366-2372
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• 2023

Are borate and silicate glasses suitable for working as shieling materials against fast neutrons? To correctly answer the above question, some silicate, and borate-based glasses were fabricated and irradiated with various doses of fast neutrons varied between 1.73 and 12.10 MGy. The color and hardness of the fabricated glasses were affected by the fast neutron fluence where the transparent glasses turned colored as well as the hardness of the fabricated glasses was decreased. The gamma-ray spectrometric analysis shows a high activity concentration produced in the barium borate glasses due to the formation of radioisotopes Ba-131 and Ba-133 reaches to 5.92E+05 Bq and 4.25E+03 Bq, respectively for sample Cd-5 Batch 3. Additionally, the gamma-ray spectrometric analysis for the sodium silicate glasses shows low activity concentrations emitted from isotopes formed due to the activation of Y₂O₃-associated impurities. These activities are low compared to that emitted by barium borate-based glasses.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2015

The scatter photons and photoneutrons from high energy photon beams (more than 10 MV) will increase the undesired dose to the patient and the staff working in linear accelerator room. This undesired dose which is found at out-of-field area can increase the probability of secondary malignancy. The purpose of this study is to determine the equivalent dose of scatter photons and neutrons generated by 3 different treatment techniques: 3D-conformal, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The measurement was performed using two types of the optically stimulation luminescence detectors (OSL and OSLN) in the Alderson Rando phantom that was irradiated by 3 different treatment techniques following the actual prostate cancer treatment plans. The scatter photon and neutron equivalent dose were compared among the 3 treatments techniques at the surface in the out-of-field area and the critical organs. Maximum equivalent dose of scatter photons and neutrons was found when using the IMRT technique. The scatter neutrons showed average equivalent doses of 0.26, 0.63 and $0.31mSv{\cdot}Gy^{-1}$ at abdominal surface region which was 20 cm from isocenter for 3D, IMRT and VMAT, respectively. The scattered photons equivalent doses were 6.94, 10.17 and $6.56mSv{\cdot}Gy^{-1}$ for 3D, IMRT and VMAT, respectively. For the 5 organ dose measurements, the scattered neutron and photon equivalent doses in out of field from the IMRT plan were highest. The result revealed that the scatter equivalent doses for neutron and photon were higher for IMRT. So the suitable treatment techniques should be selected to benefit the patient and the treatment room staff.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.12
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• pp.4671-4677
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• 2023

For the first time Pb, Ni, and Cu nanocomposites were synthesized by versatile solution combustion synthesis using Aloevera extract as a reducing agent, to study the potential applications in X-ray/gamma, neutron, and Bremsstrahlung shielding. The synthesized Lead-Nickel-Copper (LNC) nanocomposites were characterized by PXRD, SEM, UV-VIS, and FTIR for the confirmation of successful synthesis. PXRD analysis confirmed the formation of multiphase LNC NCs and the Scherrer equation and the W-H plot gave the average crystal sizes of 19 nm and 17 nm. Surface morphology using SEM and EDX confirmed the presence of LNC NCs. Strong absorption peaks were analyzed by UV visible spectroscopy and the direct energy gap is found to be 3.083 eV. Functional groups present in the LNC NCs were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray/gamma radiation shielding properties were measured using NaI(Tl) detector coupled with MCA. It is found to be very close to Pb. Neutron shielding parameters were compared with traditional shielding materials and found LNC NCs are better than lead and concrete. Secondary radiation shielding known as Bremsstrahlung shielding characteristics also studied and found that LNC NCs are best in secondary radiation shielding. Hence LNC NCs find shielding applications in ionizing radiation such as X-ray/gamma and neutron radiation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.431-431
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• 2012

A compact tokamak reactor concept as a 14 MeV neutron source is desirable from an economic viewpoint for a fusion-driven transmutation reactor. LAR (Low Aspect Ratio) tokamak allows a potential of high "see full txt" operation with high bootstrap current fractions and can be used for a compact fusion neutron source. For the optimal design of a reactor, a radial build of reactor components has to be determined by considering the plasma physics and engineering constraints which inter-relate various reactor components and are constrained to use ITER physics and technology. In a transmutation reactor, the blanket should produce enough tritium for tritium self-sufficiency and the neutron multiplication factor, keff should be less than 0.95 to maintain sub-criticality. The shield should provide sufficient protection for the superconducting toroidal field (TF) coil against radiation damage and heating effects of the fusion neutrons, fission neutrons, and secondary gammas. In this work, characteristics of transmutation reactor based on LAR tokamak is investigated by using the coupled system analysis.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.49 no.7
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• pp.1563-1570
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• 2017

In order to perform dry interim storage and transportation of the spent-fuel assemblies of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, dual-purpose casks can be utilized. The effectiveness of different neutron-shield materials for the dual-purpose cask was analyzed through a set of calculations carried out using the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code. The dose rate for the dual-purpose cask utilizing the recently developed materials of $epoxy/clay/B_4C$ and $epoxy/clay/B_4C/carbon$ fiber was less than the allowable radiation level of 2 mSv/h at any point and 0.1 mSv/h at 2 m from the external surface of the cask. By utilization of $epoxy/clay/B_4C$ instead of an ethylene glycol/water mixture, the dose rates on the side surface of the cask due to neutron sources and consequent secondary gamma rays will be reduced by 17.5% and 10%, respectively. The overall dose rate in this case will be reduced by 11%.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Pressure Vessels and Piping
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.14-20
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• 2011

The end of design lifetime for Wolsong unit 1 will be reached on 20th November in 2012. So the license renewal documents for the continuous operation of Wolsong unit 1 is under reviewing now. Major components of primary system such as pressure tubes, feeder pipes including delayed neutron monitoring system tubing are being replaced and many components of secondary system are also being repaired. In this paper, the assessment on the wear degradation of delayed neutron monitoring system tubing(on the other hand, DN tube was called) was performed for the ageing management of the same component. The wear defects of this component was one of causes that resulted in heavy water leakage accidents. Therefore design specifications of Wolsong uint 1 and heavy water leakage accidents of pressurized heavy water reactors were reviewed and causes of wear defect for DN tubes were analyzed. Wear propagation equations based on the heavy water leakage history were made and the proper repairing time was possible to be expected if the continued operation was considered. Finally design change items of DN tubes that were conducted for the long term operation of Wolsong unit 1 are introduced.