Ianik Plante and Francis A Cucinotta 2009 New J. Phys. 11 063047 doi:10.1088/1367-2630/11/6/063047
Ianik Plante1,2 and Francis A Cucinotta1
Show affiliationsHigh charge (Z) and energy (E) (HZE) nuclei are the main contributors to the uncertainty of radiation risk in space. They ionize a large number of molecules when they interact with matter, initiating a complex succession of events that leads to the radiation track structure. Radiation tracks are often studied by Monte-Carlo simulations that provide detailed information on energy deposition and production of radiolytic species that damage cellular components. These simulations require total and differential elastic and inelastic cross sections. Most ionized electrons have low energy; therefore, most calculations and experiments have been performed on electrons below 1 MeV. Electrons of ~1–100 MeV are also produced; they interact with many target molecules when they slow down and determine the radial extension of HZE tracks. Much less work has been done in this energy range. In this paper, a simulation code named RETRACKS uses interaction cross sections (including bremsstrahlung) to calculate the stopping power, range and average energy needed to produce an ion pair (W) for electrons up to 100 MeV. It was also used previously with the RITRACKS program to calculate the radial dose of HZE ions. These cross sections should allow the simulation of higher energy HZE ions, which will help improve our models of space radiation risk.
87.55.N- Radiation monitoring, control, and safety
02.50.Ng Distribution theory and Monte Carlo studies
87.53.-j Effects of ionizing radiation on biological systems
Issue 6 (June 2009)
Received 31 March 2009
Published 24 June 2009
Ianik Plante and Francis A Cucinotta 2009 New J. Phys. 11 063047
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