Designing SWORD--SoftWare for Optimization of Radiation Detectors

The software for the optimization of radiation detectors (SWORD) is an integrated system (based on MCNPX [Pelowitz, DB, 2005] and GEANT4 [Agostinelli, S, et al., 2003] 3D Monte Carlo radiation transport codes) useful for the optimization of high energy radiation detection systems. A set of usable sample inputs and analysis algorithms are integrated into the system. Sample inputs include special nuclear material (SNM) targets, nuisance sources, and industrial and marine backgrounds. Analysis algorithms include spectroscopy and imaging for coded aperture detectors and Compton imagers. The system is designed from the start to be easy to use and to be deployable to detector design and system architecture study groups who are its ultimate users.