arXiv subjects

William Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to William Larsen.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Predicting Neutron Attenuation from Bulk Density and Moisture for Soil Carbon Measurement

Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) enables rapid, non-destructive in situ measurements of soil elemental composition over large soil volumes. Standard INS yields bulk elemental concentrations, but spatially resolved measurements require techniques such as Associated Particle Imaging (API), which pairs neutron detection with coincident alpha detection to reconstruct the location of the neutron interaction. One of the unique advantages of API is its capability to measure all major soil components simultaneously, allowing for the estimation of both bulk density and water content directly from the measured neutron-induced gamma-ray spectra. Accurate interpretation of bulk INS-API data depends on correcting for both gamma-ray and neutron attenuation in soil. Although gamma attenuation can be calculated from known mass attenuation coefficient data and density, neutron attenuation is more complex, depending on neutron energy, soil composition, bulk density, and hydrogen content from water and organic matter. We use Monte Carlo simulations of soils with varied compositions, bulk densities, and water contents to model neutron attenuation and develop a simple predictive model requiring only dry bulk density and volumetric water content. We validate this model experimentally using an INS-API system with controlled soil columns, finding agreement within 10 percent at 30 cm depth. This approach enables practical, field-ready correction of INS-API measurements for neutron attenuation, laying the groundwork for a self-consistent measurement framework that can address the elemental composition of soil carbon assessments.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2023

Multi-Institutional Audit of FLASH and Conventional Dosimetry with a 3D-Printed Anatomically Realistic Mouse Phantom

We conducted a multi-institutional audit of dosimetric variability between FLASH and conventional dose rate (CONV) electron irradiations by using an anatomically realistic 3D-printed mouse phantom. A CT scan of a live mouse was used to create a 3D model of bony anatomy, lungs, and soft tissue. A dual-nozzle 3D printer was used to print the mouse phantom using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ($~1.02 g/cm^3$) and polylactic acid ($~1.24 g/cm^3$) simultaneously to simulate soft tissue and bone densities, respectively. The lungs were printed separately using lightweight polylactic acid ($~0.64 g/cm^3$). Hounsfield units (HU) and densities were compared with the reference CT scan of the live mouse. Print-to-print reproducibility of the phantom was assessed. Three institutions were each provided a phantom, and each institution performed two replicates of irradiations at selected mouse anatomic regions. The average dose difference between FLASH and CONV dose distributions and deviation from the prescribed dose were measured with radiochromic film. Compared to the reference CT scan, CT scans of the phantom demonstrated mass density differences of $0.10 g/cm^3$ for bone, $0.12 g/cm^3$ for lung, and $0.03 g/cm^3$ for soft tissue regions. Between phantoms, the difference in HU for soft tissue and bone was <10 HU from print to print. Lung exhibited the most variation (54 HU) but minimally affected dose distribution (<0.5% dose differences between phantoms). The mean difference between FLASH and CONV from the first replicate to the second decreased from 4.3% to 1.2%, and the mean difference from the prescribed dose decreased from 3.6% to 2.5% for CONV and 6.4% to 2.7% for FLASH. The framework presented here is promising for credentialing of multi-institutional studies of FLASH preclinical research to maximize the reproducibility of biological findings.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2019

An Associated Particle Imaging System for Soil-Carbon Measurements

We present first results from experimental data showing the capabilities of an Associated Particle Imaging system to measure carbon in soil and other elements. Specifically, we present results from a pre-mixed soil sample containing pure sand (SiO$_2$) and 4% carbon by weight. Because the main isotopes of all those three elements emit characteristic high-energy gamma rays following inelastic neutron scattering, it is possible to measure their distribution with our instrument. A 3D resolution of several centimeters in all dimensions has been demonstrated.

physics.ins-det↗