MONTE CARLO CALCULATION OF NEUTRON DOSE CONVERSION COEFFICIENTS FOR REFERENCE KOREAN MALE

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study is to calculate the fluence-to-absorbed dose conversion coefficients (DCCs) for the Reference Korean - Male for external exposure of neutrons, and compare the results with those from other models. Methods and Materials: The neutron DCCs were calculated by using MCNPX in conjunction with a Reference Korean computational phantom, HDRKMan, which has the dimensions of the Reference Korean - Male, including the height, weight, and the dimensions of individual organs and tissues. The calculated values were compared with those from other phantoms such as KTMAN-2, ICRP-74, and VIP-Man. Calculated geometries are broad parallel neutron beam geometries of AP, PA, LLAT, and RLAT. The DCCs were calculated by Kerma approximation, by transporting only neutrons and photons, not electrons or any charged particles. Results: The calculated values of DCCs were very reasonable when compared with those from other models. In general, the DCCs calculated by HDRKMan were in good agreement with those from ICRP-74, except for the thyroid at low energies (< 100 keV), which is mainly due to the mislocation of the thyroid in the MIRD5 mathematical phantom. Conclusions: The calculated values of DCCs were very reasonable, and it is believed that the Reference Korean computational phantom, HDRK-Man, provides consistent results for neutron DCCs.