Monte Carlo simulation for IRRMA

Monte Carlo simulation is fast becoming a standard approach for many radiat ion applications that were previously treated almost entirely by experiment al techniques. This is certainly true for Industrial Radiation and Radioiso tope Measurement Applications - IRRMA. The reasons for this include: (1) th e increased cost and inadequacy of experimentation for design and interpret ation purposes; (2) the availability of low cost, large memory, and fast pe rsonal computers; and (3) the general availability of general purpose Monte Carlo codes that are increasingly user-friendly, efficient, and accurate. This paper discusses the history and present status of Monte Carlo simulati on for IRRMA including the general purpose (GP) and specific purpose (SP) M onte Carlo codes and future needs - primarily from the experience of the au thors. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.