A compton scattering technique for wood characteristics using FLUKA Monte Carlo code

In many industrial applications, the characteristics of wood are of considerable importance to investigate its composition for several needs in the interest of mankind. This work is based on the use of gamma photons for examining the variety of common woods with density range 0.1722-0.7028 g/cm(3). The FLUKA Monte Carlo code has been explored for this purpose in scattering geometry with primary gamma photon energies of 59.5 and 661.6 keV. The validation of the FLUKA code is done with laboratory findings on wood density measurements and a strong correlation (R-2 similar to 0.9744) has been found between simulations and experimental results. The radiation interaction parameters namely linear attenuation coefficients and half-value layers (HVL) in transmission geometry, for seven types of woods, have also been reported here in addition to Compton scattering based findings. With increase of wood density for the chosen samples, the HVL values decrease from 200 mm to 51 mm and 479 mm-122 mm at incident photon energy 59.5 keV and 661.6 keV respectively. The results obtained here, where the calibration curves are constructed completely by simulations, are fully promising for estimating the parameters important for wood processors and product users. Moreover, the best-fitted mathematical functions relating Compton scattering intensity with HVL (transmission parameter) of selected woods are found to be first order exponential decay in nature. It has been concluded that FLUKA simulation is a convenient and inexpensive method particularly whenever it is hard to set-up the desired laboratory arrangements.

Automated summary

This study uses the FLUKA Monte Carlo code to investigate gamma photon scattering characteristics in various density woods and validates the simulations with laboratory findings, showing a strong correlation between simulation and experiment results. The research reveals that as wood density increases, the interaction parameters with gamma photons decrease accordingly. The study concludes that FLUKA simulation is a convenient and cost-effective method for estimating important parameters for wood processors and product users.