Monte Carlo calculations for gamma-ray mass attenuation coefficients of some soil samples

We developed a simple Monte Carlo code to determine the mass attenuation coefficients of some soil samples at nine different gamma-ray energies (59.5, 80.9, 122.1, 159.0, 356.5, 511.0, 661.6, 1173.2 and 1332.5 key). Results of the Monte Carlo calculations have been compared with tabulations based upon the results of photon cross section database (XCOM) and with experimental results by other researchers for the same samples. The calculated mass attenuation coefficients were found to be very close to the theoretical values and the experimental results. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.