A comparative study of stopping power calculations implemented in Monte Carlo codes and compilations with experimental data

• Published in: Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section B, Beam interactions with materials and atoms Vol. 467; pp. 44 - 52
• Main Authors: Vagena, E., Androulakaki, E.G., Kokkoris, M., Patronis, N., Stamati, M.E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.03.2020
• Subjects: Energy loss; Monte Carlo codes; Stopping power; Energy loss; Stopping power; Monte Carlo codes
• ISSN: 0168-583X; 1872-9584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nimb.2020.02.003

In the present work extensive stopping power calculations were performed, implementing general–purpose Monte Carlo codes (GEANT4, MCNP6.1, FLUKA, PHITS) and dedicated stopping power compilations (such as SRIM2013, PSTAR/ ASTAR from NIST and ATIMA), having protons, alpha particles, 12C, 16O and 56Fe ions as beam particles, in the energy range between ~1 and ~1000 MeV/u, impinging on a variety of thin or infinitely thick, pure, single–element targets, such as aluminum, iron, copper and silicon, which are typically used as shielding materials or components in complex devices, in order to investigate all the occurring differences and similarities in the obtained results. Water was the only compound target to be examined, since it is commonly used as a close substitute for biological tissue. In all the simulations the process of multiple scattering was ignored or disabled. The obtained results are presented in graphical form, along with all the available experimental data in the studied energy range and the occurring similarities and discrepancies are discussed and analyzed.