Application of the Monte Carlo codes PENELOPE and MCNP5 to unfold X-ray spectra in the diagnostic energy range

• PENELOPE and MCNP5 codes are used to simulate the Compton spectrometry technique.
• Pulse Height Distribution and response matrix can be calculated with both codes.
• MTSVD and Tikhonov methods are applied to estimate the primary X-ray spectra.
• The Bremsstrahlung continuous is successfully estimated in all the cases.
• The best estimation of characteristic lines is achieved using MCNP5 and Tikhonov.

Obtaining primary X-ray spectra is a complex task, mainly due to the high fluence of X-rays. In order to avoid the pile up effect in the detector, an indirect method based on the Compton scattering interactions in a low density rod material can be successfully applied in the diagnostic energy range. In this work, the Monte Carlo codes PENELOPE and MCNP5 have been used to simulate the indirect method based on a simplified Compton spectrometry technique. Both models include the X-ray focus, a poly(mehtylmethacrylate) (PMMA) rod and an HPGe detector. Because the probability that primary photons scattered in the PMMA will be emitted towards the detector is small, it is necessary to consider appropriate values for cut-offs and other simulation parameters. With these models, a response function can be determined, relating the response of the detector to the primary X-ray spectrum. This function can be normally expressed as a matrix, which can be calculated by simulating the response detector to several monochromatic X-ray beams. The main goal of this work is to test the capability of the Monte Carlo codes PENELOPE and MCNP5, together with unfolding methods to estimate the primary spectrum when the response matrix and the response of the detector for a given conditions are known. The reliability of unfolded X-ray spectra is studied by comparing them with theoretical spectra obtained from the IPEM 78 catalog and calculating the Root Mean Squared (RMS) and Quality parameters.