How Did University of Tehran Researchers Gain Access to MCNP Software?

[random_soldier]

I was reading papers on neutron flux traps. Some people in the University of Tehran used MCNP to determine effectiveness of different neutron moderators. Context out of the way, my question is regarding the situation. How did researchers paid by an organization like the University of Tehran get access to a software like MCNP?

 

[berkeman]

I was reading papers on neutron flux traps. Some people in the University of Tehran used MCNP to determine effectiveness of different neutron moderators. Context out of the way, my question is regarding the situation. How did researchers paid by an organization like the University of Tehran get access to a software like MCNP?

It looks like LANL does control the distributions, but maybe you should e-mail them with this question instead of asking here?

https://laws.lanl.gov/vhosts/mcnp.lanl.gov/mcnp_how_to_get_to_mcnp.shtml

How to get MCNP
For people who are NOT employees at LANL:

MCNP is distributed by the Radiation Safety Information Computational Center website (RSICC), based at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Because MCNP is an export-controlled code, the distribution through RSICC is governed by US laws and Department of Energy regulations. US citizens may request either the executable-only distribution package or the distribution package that includes source coding. Non-US citizens should generally request the executable-only distribution package to avoid possible delays in approval.
The MCNP6 distribution package from RSICC includes executables for MacOS, Linux, and Windows. The package also includes full documentation (release notes & user manual), the MCNP Reference Collection, many suites of verification-validation problems, a number of utility programs or scripts, and extensive nuclear data libraries for MCNP.
For further information or specific questions regarding obtaining MCNP6 from RSICC, please contact RSICC directly: RSICC email

 

[random_soldier]

I am aware of that. I'm just surprised that an Iranian organization was able to get access to it. It ultimately remains at the discretion of ORNL as to whether someone can get it or not, as I understand it.

 

[rbelli1]

remains at the discretion of ORNL as to whether someone can get it or not

And it remains at the discretion of the recipient as to whether they will abide by the terms of their agreement with ORNL.

Hostile governments manage to get access to material deemed "top secret" by the US government. I'm assuming that that information is difficult to obtain however is is still possible.

Obtaining information that a large fraction of population of the planet can get if they just ask nicely seems trivial by comparison.

BoB

 

[jedishrfu]

Countries will do what countries will do to get what they need to push their agendas.

It’s likely they paid someone with access to give it to them. It’s hoped that person will be caught for violating US munitions law.

Since there’s little more we can say on this topic, it’s a good place to close this thread.