Simulations of an accelerator-based shielding experiment using the particle and heavy-ion transport code system PHITS

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Radiation Transport
• Space Radiation Physics

Background:

• Estimating biological effects of High charge and Z (HZE) particles requires accurate physics of HZE particle interactions.
• Heavy ion transport is complex, necessitating development and validation of accurate transport models through experimental and theoretical studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To benchmark the General-Purpose Particle and Heavy-Ion Transport code System (PHITS) against experimental data.
• To validate the accuracy of PHITS in simulating heavy ion interactions and transport.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the PHITS code, incorporating NMTC, MCNP, JAM hadron cascade model, JAERI Quantum Molecular Dynamics (JQMD), Generalized Evaporation Model (GEM), NASA Langley model, and SPAR model.
• Performed simulations of an accelerator-based shielding experiment involving 1 GeV/n Fe-ions passing through polyethylene, Al, and Pb.
• Compared simulated secondary neutron energy spectra and spatial, fluence, and depth-dose distributions with experimental measurements.

Main Results:

• Simulations of secondary neutron energy spectra from HZE particle reactions were compared with experimental data.
• Spatial, fluence, and depth-dose distributions from high energy heavy ion reactions were compared between simulations and measurements.
• The study reports simulations of an accelerator-based shielding experiment using 1 GeV/n Fe-ions.

Conclusions:

• The ongoing development and benchmarking of PHITS are essential for accurate heavy ion transport modeling.
• Validation against experimental data is critical for ensuring the reliability of PHITS for radiation protection and biological effect estimations.
• Further improvements in PHITS include refining nucleus-nucleus reaction models and incorporating additional physical processes.