Practical MCNP for the Health Physicist, Medical Physicist, and Radiological Engineer

Presented By
Los Alamos National Laboratory

RP-2 Health Physics Measurements Group
Radiation Instrumentation & Calibration Team

The Los Alamos MCNP code is a general and powerful Monte Carlo transport code for photons, neutrons, and electrons. MCNP can be safely described as the "industry standard" with more than 600 person-years of development effort behind it. It is supported on a variety of platforms and is now accessible to Health Physicists, Medical Physicists, and Rad Engineers using desktop or laptop personal computers. This 4.5 day course introduces the basic concepts of Monte Carlo, demonstrates how to put together a MCNP input file, and illustrates some health and medical physics applications of the code. No prior knowledge of Monte Carlo is assumed.

MCNP is ideally suited to the needs of professionals interested in performing radiation shielding and skyshine calculations, detector simulation studies, or dosimetry. With a little practice and study of the examples, many will find they are able to solve problems that have, in the past, been out of reach. Problems that involve a complex geometry can be easily solved using MCNP (e.g., designing a maze entrance to a radiation room). Calculations are based on detailed physics models and very accurate cross section tables that require no energy group compromises to be made.

All of the input and output files for the class demonstrations will be provided for self-study on a diskette. The course will focus on providing a practical boost toward learning the program and guiding the student toward useful applications. Extensive practice sessions are scheduled using a personal computer in class.

The course will be taught by Dick Olsher, David Seagraves, and Tom McLean of the Health Physics Measurements Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory. Additional staff help will be provided by members of the Health Physics Measurements Group.

For inquiries regarding registration, class space availability, and technical information please contact Tom McLean or David Seasgraves.

Topics

• The Monte Carlo Method
• Input file preparation
• Data Cards and Tallys
• Interpretation of output file
• Exposure and dose rate calculations
• Variance Reduction & Statistical Analysis
• Radiation shielding
• Skyshine calculations
• Detector Simulation & Dose Tallys

Additional Topic Information

MCNP Class Schedule

Students will be provided with a comprehensive class manual and a diskette containing all of the practice problems. This course has been granted 32 Continuing Education Credits by the AAHP and 4.5 CM points by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. The course is offered by the Health Physics Measurements Group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The course is 4.5 days in duration and will be offered on the following date:

August 17-21, 2009

Venue for the MCNP Class: The University of New Mexico, MESA Complex. Room 130. Click here for map.

For Information on Los Alamos (Lodging, Dining, etc.) visit Virtual Los Alamos

Recomended hotels in Los Alamos are the Holliday Inn Express located at 2455 Trinity Drive (505-661-1110) and the Best Western Hilltop House located at 400 Trinity Drive (505-662-1106). There are also several Bed and Breakfasts located in Los Alamos.

Registration Fee: $1,800.00 per person. Price subject to change without notice. A copy of the MCNP code is NOT included in the registration fee. If you require a copy of the MCNP code, it must be purchased directly from the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center (RSICC). They may be contacted at RSICC Home Page

Payments must be received at least 45 days before class. If payment has not been received by the due date, your space may be given up to the next available person on our waiting list. Refunds are available up to 30 days before the class date.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are a non-U.S. citizen, we need 60 days lead time prior to class to obtain required visitor approvals. Advanced registration is imperative!

Click Here for Online Registration. REGISTER NOW!

To Reserve a Place in Class: Make checks payable to the Los Alamos National Laboratory (checks must be in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank) and mail together with your name, address, phone, and fax numbers to:

Group RP-2
MCNP Class/David T. Seagraves
Mail Stop J571
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, NM 87545