Molecular coherent scattering data for tissue in photon transport Monte Carlo codes

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Computational Physics
• Biophysics

Background:

• Coherent scattering is crucial for understanding photon transport in biological tissues.
• Existing Monte Carlo codes often lack detailed molecular interference effects.
• Accurate modeling is essential for radiation dosimetry and medical imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of incorporating molecular interference effects into photon transport simulations.
• To develop and validate a practical method for implementing these effects in standard Monte Carlo codes.
• To ensure the reliability of the proposed method across a wide range of momentum transfer values.

Main Methods:

• Proposed a self-consistent set of tabulations for the linear differential scattering coefficient.
• Tested the tabulations' validity across the full momentum transfer range (0 to 10^10 nm^-1).
• Implemented the method in three distinct Monte Carlo simulation codes.

Main Results:

• The proposed tabulations for molecular interference effects were found to be suitable for coherent scattering phenomenology.
• The implemented method proved reliable across diverse Monte Carlo codes.
• Validation confirmed the accuracy of the tabulations over the entire momentum transfer spectrum.

Conclusions:

• Molecular interference effects can be effectively integrated into X and gamma photon transport simulations in biological tissues.
• The developed tabulation method offers a practical and reliable approach for existing Monte Carlo codes.
• This advancement enhances the accuracy of simulations for applications in radiation therapy and diagnostics.