A computationally effcient moment-preserving Monte Carlo proton transport method in Geant4

Abstract

The moment-preserving method, demonstrated as a viable alternative to condensed history for electrons, is extended to protons. Given the generality and the flexibility of the method, a discrete Coulomb scattering and discrete impactionization differential cross-section library for protons was readily developed and existing Geant4 electron discrete process and model classes were extended to make use of the new proton library. It is shown that levels of efficiency and accuracy similar to those demonstrated for electrons are obtainable for protons in straight-ahead, energy-loss problems. However, in problems with deflection, agreement is strongly dependent on the proton energy. That is, good agreement was observed in the few MeV range, while unsatisfactory agreement was observed in problems with proton energies above 100-MeV.