CardSharp: A python library for generating MCNP6 input decks

TL;DR

CardSharp is a Python library that simplifies the creation and management of MCNP6 input decks, supporting complex geometries, materials, sources, tallies, and providing user-friendly features for nuclear simulation modeling.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive Python library that automates and streamlines the generation of MCNP6 input decks with advanced features and user-friendly design.

Findings

Supports geometry, materials, sources, and tallies creation

Includes human-readable comments in generated decks

Provides tools for running MCNP and visualizing results

Abstract

A python library for the creation of MCNP6 input decks is described. The library supports geometry generation with automatic assignment of surface/facet numbers, cell numbers, transform numbers and material numbers along with MCNP Universes and FILL feature. Rectangular and Hexagonal Lattices are also supported. A large material library is included. Support for a good selection of common sources and tallies is also provided. Cards or features which are currently not supported in the library can also be inserted as raw strings into the output stream. Combining Python features like descriptively named variables, functions and for loops with library functions provides an intuitive and parametric way to create, modify and maintain complicated geometries and simulation models. The generated card deck also has human readable comments which makes it easy to read and relate back to the python source. Some support for running MCNP, reading tallies and plotting is also provided.