Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 16
Quantum-Mechanical Contributions
to Numerical Simulations of Charged
Particle Transport at the DNA Scale
Christophe Champion, Mariel E. Galassi, Philippe F. Weck, Omar Foj on,
Jocelyn Hanssen, and Roberto D. Rivarola
Abstract
Two quantum mechanical models (CB1 and CDW-EIS) are here
presented to provide accurate multiple differential and total cross sections for
describing the two most important ionizing processes, namely, ionization and
capture induced by heavy charged particles in targets of biological interest. Water
and DNA bases are then successively investigated by reporting in particular a
detailed study of the influence of the target description on the cross section
calculations.
16.1
Introduction
Numerical models and codes based on Monte Carlo (MC) techniques represent
powerful tools for simulating 'event-by-event' radiation track structure at the
nanometer level. It is worth noting that the success of MC energy transport codes
essentially depends on the accuracy of both the theoretical model assumptions and
