Design of a tritium gas cell for beta-ray induced X-ray spectrometry using Monte Carlo simulation

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design Vol. 119; pp. 12 - 16
• Main Authors: Hara, Masanori, Abe, Shinsuke, Matsuyama, Masao, Aso, Tsukasa, Tatenuma, Katsuyoshi, Kawakami, Tomohiko, Ito, Takeshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-06-2017; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Absorption; Beryllium; Beta rays; Beta-ray induced X-ray spectrometry; Bremsstrahlung; Computer simulation; Gas analysis; Gases; Geant4; Gold; Hydrogen storage; Monte Carlo simulation; Scientific imaging; Spectrometry; Thickness; Tritium; X ray spectra; X-ray spectroscopy; X-rays; Tritium; Bremsstrahlung; Beta-ray induced X-ray spectrometry; Monte Carlo simulation; Geant4
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2017.04.059

•Beta-ray induced X-ray spectrometry (BIXS) is a method for tritium gas analysis.•Gas cell for BIXS was designed by Monte Carlo simulations.•The optimum thickness of the gold layer on a beryllium window was around 150nm.•This simulation model considered the self-absorption with increasing the cell length.
One of the methods used for tritium gas analysis is beta-ray induced X-ray spectrometry (BIXS). Gas cell design is important in this method. The structure of the gas cell for BIXS was optimized by Monte Carlo simulation of beta-ray induced X-ray spectra in various window geometries using the Geant4 tool kit (version 10.01.p02). The simulated spectrum from tritium decay fitted the observed one, and the simulation model was used to obtain the cell parameters for BIXS. The optimum thickness of the gold layer on a beryllium window was around 150nm. This simulation model also considered the relationship between self-absorption by hydrogen gas and the cell length. Self-absorption increased with increasing cell length and the relationship between the sample pressure and cell length was formulated.