Track structure modeling in liquid water: A review of the Geant4-DNA very low energy extension of the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit. Issue 8 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bernal, M.A.; Bordage, M.C.; Brown, J.M.C.; Davídková, M.; Delage, E.; El Bitar, Z.; Enger, S.A.; Francis, Z.; Guatelli, S.; Ivanchenko, V.N.; Karamitros, M.; Kyriakou, I.; Maigne, L.; Meylan, S.; Murakami, K.; Okada, S.; Payno, H.; Perrot, Y.; Petrovic, I.; Pham, Q.T.; Ristic-Fira, A.; Sasaki, T.; Štěpán, V.; Tran, H.N.; Villagrasa, C.; Incerti, S.
• Is Part Of: Physica medica. Volume 31:Issue 8(2015)
• Page Start: 861
• Page End: 874
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Monte Carlo -- Geant4-DNA -- Radiolysis -- Radiobiology -- Ionizing radiation; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Imagerie médicale -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Rayons X -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Physique -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2015.10.087
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-1797

Abstract

Highlights: A review of the current status of Geant4-DNA is presented. New physical models describing the interactions of electrons in water are described. Physicochemical and chemical stages of water radiolysis can be simulated. Several approaches are available for modeling geometries of biological targets. Dedicated examples are proposed to demonstrate such capabilities. Abstract: Understanding the fundamental mechanisms involved in the induction of biological damage by ionizing radiation remains a major challenge of today's radiobiology research. The Monte Carlo simulation of physical, physicochemical and chemical processes involved may provide a powerful tool for the simulation of early damage induction. The Geant4-DNA extension of the general purpose Monte Carlo Geant4 simulation toolkit aims to provide the scientific community with an open source access platform for the mechanistic simulation of such early damage. This paper presents the most recent review of the Geant4-DNA extension, as available to Geant4 users since June 2015 (release 10.2 Beta). In particular, the review includes the description of new physical models for the description of electron elastic and inelastic interactions in liquid water, as well as new examples dedicated to the simulation of physicochemical and chemical stages of water radiolysis. Several implementations of geometrical models of biological targets are presented as well, and the list of Geant4-DNA examples is described.