Numerical Evaluation of Terrestrial Beta Radiation Field in Natural Environment

Abstract

The propagation of electrons through various media was calculated using the one-dimensional discrete ordinates code NILE. These calculations were performed with the aim of determining the natural terrestrial beta radiation field. To assess the validity of the results provided by the NILE code, the calculated results were compared with numerical calculations and experimental measurements of other investigators. The data presented in this work permit calculation of the energy and angular distribution and absorbed dose rate at distances of between 0 and 2m from a plane, homogeneous ground with known abundances of =?h and QK.