SU-F-T-127: Charged Particle Transport in Condensed Media

• Published in: Medical physics (Lancaster) 2016-06, Vol.43 (6), p.3491-3491
• Main Authors: Dingfelder, M, McLawhorn, R, Maertz, E, Shinpaugh, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Alpha particles; Anatomy; CHARGED-PARTICLE TRANSPORT; CROSS SECTIONS; Dielectric thin films; Electronic transport; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; HEAVY IONS; INTERACTIONS; Liquid dielectrics; Liquid solid interfaces; MONTE CARLO METHOD; Monte Carlo methods; PARTICLE TRACKS; PRODUCTIVITY; Protons; Radiation damage; RADIATION EFFECTS; Secondary emission; SIMULATION; VISIBLE RADIATION
• ISSN: 0094-2405; 2473-4209
• DOI: 10.1118/1.4956263

Purpose: Provide quality interaction cross sections for charged particle Monte Carlo (MC) track structure codes and evaluate low energy electron transport in condensed media. Methods: MC methods and codes are often used to model or simulate charged particle radiation transport in matter. Detailed (or event-by-event) track structure simulations are of special interest for the modeling of the physical and chemical stages of radiation action with matter and the initial radiation damage to biological systems. They require reliable interaction cross sections of all radiation qualities considered (e.g., electrons, protons, alpha particles, light and heavy ions) with the target material under consideration, mainly in the condensed phase, including liquids and solids. Interaction cross sections are calculated using the dielectric formalism, a mixture of first principles, theoretical modeling and experimental information for bulk and surface transport and implemented into MC track structure codes. Secondary electron emission yields from amorphous solid water (ASW) and thin metal foils (copper and gold) after fast proton impact are simulated and measured experimentally. Results: After considering different transport models for bulk and surface transport and a careful modeling of the experimental geometry, simulated secondary electron emission yields follow the trends of experimental data well. Furthermore, yields for electron emissions below 50 eV are sensitive to differential elastic scattering cross sections. Conclusion: Low-energy electron transport in condensed media is still a challenge for detailed track structure simulation codes. Interaction cross-sections, transport models, and target geometry need to be considered adequately. The research was funded in part by NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program 2009, Award Number: 0923270 and by NIH/NCI R01 CA93351.