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MCNP6 for Nuclear Safeguards Practitioners

Date:Monday April 29, 2024 through Friday May 03, 2024
Time:10:00 Monday to 12:00 Friday (US Mountain Time)
Place:Los Alamos, NM, USA
Maximum Enrollment:12
Minimum Enrollment:8
Prerequisites:Class attendees are expected to have some experience with the MCNP code.
Cost:Finalizing Details

Other key dates:

  • February 09, 2024, non-US citizen registration deadline.
  • April 01, 2024, class go / no-go determination and refundable withdrawal deadline.
  • April 15, 2024, late-registration deadline.

See Other Details below for more information on these dates.

Summary

The structure of the course consists of a mix of lectures and example problems that are created and executed by course participants in real time. Topics covered include an MCNP basics overview, advanced geometry, nuclear data libraries and material definitions, fixed source definitions, and advanced tallies. Both neutron and gamma-ray detectors will be covered in the course this year. A module on using DRiFT—a detector response function toolkit for MCNP output—will also be included this year. The course concludes with a non-destructive assay optimization exercise. Throughout the course, participants will have the opportunity to discuss individual questions and problems with MCNP and safeguards experts.

The class will be based on version 6.2 of the MCNP code.

Topics include:

  • MCNP basics overview and refresher
  • Advanced geometry (universes, lattices, repeated structures)
  • Nuclear data libraries and material definitions
  • Fixed source definitions
  • Advanced tallies
  • Non-destructive assay (NDA) system optimization exercise
  • Other advanced topics, such as MCNPTools, may be included time permitting and depending on the interests of the course participants

    • Other Details

    Minimum Class Enrollment

    There is a minimum number of participants required for each class to be held. Registered class participants will receive an email no later than four weeks before the class start date (by April 01, 2024) notifying them if a class is cancelled because of low enrollment.

    Refunds

    If the class is cancelled because of low enrollment, participants may request a refund of any registration fees paid or may request that the fee already paid be credited towards their attendance at a future class.

    If you cannot attend the class for another reason and cancel your registration less than four weeks in advance (after April 01, 2024), we will be unable to refund any registration fee paid. However, the fee may be applied towards attendance at a future class. Alternatively, another person from your organization may attend in your place, depending on the citizenship of that individual. Contact the MCNP Registrar for further information.

    Last-minute Registrations

    Registrations received within two weeks prior to the start of a class (after April 15, 2024) may be accepted on a space-available basis and depending on the citizenship of the person registering.

    Non-US Citizens

    Registration requests for non-US citizens who are citizens of a country listed in US Regulation 10 CFR 810 are processed by the LANL Foreign Visits Office. This security approval processing is based on requirements issued from the US Department of Energy. The processing normally takes at least 60 days. You must register and provide all requested information by February 09, 2024. Although we can never guarantee that a security approval will be received, we will make every attempt to obtain an answer for your attendance request as soon as possible.

    Registration requests for non-US citizens who are citizens of or reside in a country not listed as a Generally Authorized Destination in US Regulation 10 CFR 810 cannot be processed by LANL and will be submitted directly to the Department of Energy.

    For a list of 10 CFR 810 countries, please go to the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 810.

    Pre-class Information

    Students who are fully registered and have confirmed payment for the class are ready to attend. This webpage lists the details needed to attend.

    However, prior to arrival the student must accomplish two critical steps with the computer he or she will use for the class:

    1. Install MCNP6.2.
      • In addition to the installation instructions provided with MCNP6.2, a YouTube tutorial for installing MCNP6.2 on Microsoft Windows is available. This video concludes with steps to test the installation to ensure the software is configured as required for most MCNP classes.
      • For in-person classes, it is strongly recommended that the installation DVDs also be brought (and a way to read them) in case the code needs to be reinstalled on the student's laptop during the class.
    2. Download the class materials (presentations, example input files, etc.).
      • A download link for a ZIP file containing class materials will be provided to registered and fully paid attendees the week, typically the Thursday, before the class.
      • The download is approximately 500 MB and should be fully extracted for use.

    Visiting Los Alamos

    Arriving

    Visitors to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) usually fly into either Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) or Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ).

    Google Maps-based driving directions from each are:

    Other LANL-focused arrival information is available here.

    When arriving at Los Alamos National Laboratory, all vehicles pass through a vehicle access portal (VAP) where drivers will need to present current photo identification such as a state-issued driver's license or LANL-issued badge. Note that the VAPs on the Pajarito corridor require a LANL-issued badge.

    All visitors must obtain a badge as the first part of their visit. Identification requirements as of August 2023 are listed here. The LANL badge office (and the MCNP classroom) are located in the

    Otowi building on Casa Grande Drive.
    The hours are currently 0700–1530 MDT and badging questions can be answered by calling 505-667-6901.

    Hotels

    Several of the hotels that serve Los Alamos are:

    Dining

    Dining information is available through the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce with a downloadable summary here.