Development and validation of proton track-structure model applicable to arbitrary materials.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Radiation Biology

Background:

• Conventional proton transport algorithms rely on material-specific dielectric functions.
• Accurate simulation of proton energy deposition is crucial for understanding irradiation effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop a novel proton transport algorithm applicable to arbitrary materials.
• Improve the simulation of microscopic energy deposition for various applications.

Main Methods:

• The algorithm utilizes a total stopping power formula and single-differential cross sections for secondary electron production.
• It simulates energy dissipation by tracking proton interactions and secondary electron generation.
• Ionizing and non-ionizing energy losses are calculated based on energy dissipation and secondary electron kinetic energy.

Main Results:

• The algorithm accurately predicts stopping range, radial dose distribution, secondary electron spectra, and lineal energy.
• Benchmarking against experimental data in liquid water and tissue-equivalent gas showed good agreement.
• The model demonstrates accuracy for materials beyond liquid water.

Conclusions:

• The developed algorithm offers a versatile and accurate method for proton track-structure calculations in arbitrary materials.
• Its ability to handle diverse materials makes it a robust tool for analyzing irradiation effects in cells, semiconductors, and detectors.