Generation of photon energy deposition kernels using the EGS Monte Carlo code

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Computational Physics
• Radiation Dosimetry

Background:

• Accurate simulation of photon interactions in water is crucial for radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging.
• Understanding energy deposition by charged particles initiated by photons is essential for precise dose calculations.
• Existing models require detailed characterization of particle transport for improved accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate photon energy deposition kernels for water using the EGS Monte Carlo code.
• To characterize primary charged particle transport, including effective center, penetration depth, and lateral spread.
• To calculate dose per unit collision kerma for monoenergetic photons.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the EGS Monte Carlo code for simulating photon interactions in water.
• Calculated energy deposition kernels for photons with energies ranging from 0.1 to 50 MeV.
• Determined primary charged particle transport parameters and dose per unit collision kerma.

Main Results:

• Generated comprehensive photon energy deposition kernels for water across a wide energy spectrum.
• Quantified key parameters of charged particle transport, providing insights into energy spread.
• Calculated dose per unit collision kerma, a fundamental quantity for dosimetry.

Conclusions:

• The generated kernels provide a valuable resource for simulating radiation transport in water.
• Characterization of charged particle transport enhances the accuracy of Monte Carlo-based dosimetry.
• These findings support advancements in radiation therapy planning and radiation safety assessments.