Quality assurance for the use of computational methods in dosimetry: activities of EURADOS Working Group 6 “Computational Dosimetry”

Hans Rabus (1) , Jose-Maria Gomez-Ros (2) , C. Villagrasa (3) , J. Eakins (4) , Thomas Vrba (5) , Valentin Blideanu (6) , M. Zankl (7) , R. Tanner (4) , L. Struelens (8) , H. Brkić (9) , C. Domingo (10) , Giorgio Baiocco (11) , Barbara Caccia (12) , Christelle Huet (3) , Paolo Ferrari (13)

1 PTB - Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt [Berlin]
2 CIEMAT - Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas
3 IRSN/PSE-SANTE/SDOS/LDRI - Laboratoire de dosimétrie des rayonnements ionisants
4 Public Health England [Didcot]
5 CTU - Czech Technical University in Prague
6 LNHB (CEA, LIST) - Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (CEA, LIST)
7 HMGU - Helmholtz Zentrum München
8 SCK-CEN - Centre d'Etude de l'Energie Nucléaire
9 Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
10 Servei de Ressonància Magnètica Nuclear, Facultat de Ciències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
11 UNIPV - Università degli Studi di Pavia = University of Pavia
12 Italian National Institute of Health (ISS)
13 ENEA - Agenzia Nazionale per le nuove Tecnologie, l’energia e lo sviluppo economico sostenibile = Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development

Working Group (WG) 6 "Computational Dosimetry" of the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) promotes good practice in the application of computational methods for radiation dosimetry in radiation protection and the medical use of ionizing radiation. Its cross-sectional activities within the association cover a large range of current topics in radiation dosimetry, including more fundamental studies of radiation effects in complex systems. In addition, WG 6 also performs scientific research and development as well as knowledge transfer activities, such as training courses. Monte Carlo techniques, including the use of anthropomorphic and other numerical phantoms based on voxelized geometrical models, have a strong part in the activities pursued in WG 6. However, other aspects and techniques, such as neutron spectra unfolding, play an important role as well. A number of intercomparison exercises have been carried out in the past to provide information on the accuracy with which computational methods are applied and whether best practice is being followed. Within the exercises that are still ongoing, the focus has changed towards assessing the uncertainty that can be achieved with these computational methods. Furthermore, the future strategy of WG 6 also includes an extension of the scope toward experimental benchmark activities and evaluation of cross-sections and algorithms, with the vision of establishing a gold standard for Monte Carlo methods used in medical and radiobiological applications.

Mots clés: computational methods; dosimetry; European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS); ionizing radiation; quality assurance; radiation protection; radiation effects; modelling; Monte Carlo; metrology; anthropomorphic phantom; numerical phantom; radioactivity; Particle transport; simulation; neutron spectrum; experimental benchmark; computational benchmark

Domaines: Physique Médicale [physics.med-ph]; Physique Nucléaire Expérimentale [nucl-ex]; Modélisation et simulation

Hans Rabus, Jose-Maria Gomez-Ros, C. Villagrasa, J. Eakins, Thomas Vrba, et al.. Quality assurance for the use of computational methods in dosimetry: activities of EURADOS Working Group 6 “Computational Dosimetry”. Journal of Radiological Protection, inPress, ⟨10.1088/1361-6498/abd914⟩. ⟨cea-03136483⟩