MCNP-GO: A python package for assembling MCNP input files with a systems engineering approach

TL;DR

MCNP-GO is a Python package that simplifies the assembly and management of MCNP input files, improving modeling accuracy and traceability for complex simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a systems engineering approach to assembling MCNP files, addressing database management, collision handling, and traceability with minimal Python knowledge required.

Findings

Efficient assembly of MCNP input files demonstrated in a tomographic example

Enhanced traceability and configuration management for MCNP simulations

User-friendly interface suitable for users with minimal Python experience

Abstract

This article introduces MCNP-GO (https://github.com/afriou/mcnpgo), a Python package designed to manipulate and assemble MCNP input files, allowing users to assemble a set of independent objects, each described by a valid MCNP file, into a single cohesive file. This tool is particularly useful for applications where precise modeling and positioning of equipment are crucial. The package addresses the challenges of managing large databases of MCNP input files, ensuring reliability and traceability through configuration management systems. MCNP-GO provides functionalities such as renumbering, extracting subsets of files, transforming files, and assembling files while managing collisions and materials. It also keeps track of the operations performed on files, enhancing traceability and ease of modification. The article demonstrates the package's capabilities through a practical example of assembling an MCNP input file for a tomographic experiment, highlighting its efficiency and user-friendliness. MCNP-GO is designed for users with minimal Python knowledge.