Development and experimental validation of a monte carlo modeling of the neutron emission from a d-t generator

An extensive use of Monte Carlo simulations led to the identification of a Thermo Scientific MP320 neutron generator MCNPX input deck. Such input deck is currently utilized at ENEA Casaccia Research Center for optimizing all the techniques and applications involving the device, in particular for explosives and drugs detection by fast neutrons, The working model of the generator was obtained thanks to a detailed representation of the MP320 internal components, and to the potentialities offered by the MCNPX code. Validation of the model was obtained by comparing simulated results vs. manufacturer's data, and vs. experimental tests. The aim of this work is explaining all the steps that led to those results, suggesting a procedure that might be extended to different models of neutron generators.