A Simplified Method for Line Broadening of Simulated Microcalorimetry

Year
2025
Author(s)
James Cahill
Patience Obasi - Virginia Commonwealth University
Cameron Wojtowicz
Kyle Hartig - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
Braden Goddard - Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University
Abstract
Microcalorimetry represents the cutting edge of gamma spectroscopy, with energy resolutions surpassing other detectors that are currently available. This creates an opportunity to achieve near real-time fuel composition characterization in several advanced reactor designs that was not previously possible. However, the tradeoff of this extreme energy resolution becomes apparent when modeling and simulating the process. Gaussian and Lorentzian peaks occur within the same spectrum, something that can often be overlooked for other detector types but creates large discrepancies in microcalorimetric spectra. This work focuses on a streamlined solution that allows for proper line broadening through the implementation of the Gaussian-Lorentzian Sum function.