Comparison of various Monte Carlo track structure codes for energetic electrons in gaseous and liquid water.

Abstract

Cross section for kurbuc, a Monte Carlo track structure code simulating histories of electrons, interaction by interaction, in the energy range of 10 eV to 10 MeV, have been presented. Comparisons have been made for four independent Monte Carlo track structure codes for energetic electrons in gaseous and liquid water. The comparisons have been made in terms of point kernels for interactions and energy absorbed, and frequencies of energy depositions in cylindrical volumes of sizes similar to biological macromolecules. Comparisons have been made for 100 eV, 300 eV, 500 eV, 1 keV, 10 keV and 100 keV monoenergetic electrons. The four electron codes used in this study are moca8b and kurbuc for water vapour and orec and cpa100 for liquid water. A summary of cross sections, used in each code has been presented. The comparisons show similarities and differences in clustering properties of the four codes.