Validation of Shell Ionization Cross Sections for Monte Carlo Electron Transport

Abstract

Theoretical and semi-empirical methods to calculate electron impact ionization cross sections for atomic shells are subject to validation tests with respect to a wide collection of experimental measurements to identify the state of the art for Monte Carlo particle transport. The validation process applies rigorous statistical analysis methods. Cross sections based on the EEDL Evaluated Electron Data Library, widely used by Monte Carlo codes, and on calculations by Bote and Salvat, used in the Penelope code, are generally equivalent in compatibility with experiment. Results are also reported for various formulations of the Binary-Encounter-Bethe and Deutsch-Märk models.

First assessment of new Evaluated Data Libraries for Monte Carlo particle transport

“…In a validation test [15] of the electron impact cross sections for K and L shells no statistically significant differences were observed regarding the compatibility with experiment of cross sections based on the old EEDL data and the new EPICS2017 data.…”

Electromagnetic data libraries: recent evolutions and new perspectives

“…The original validation process applied in several tests (e.g. [28], [29], [30], [31], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [25], [50] [51]) has gone into various refinements since its first development described in [50]. It consists of a two-stage process: the first stage encompasses goodness of fit testing, while the second deals with the analysis of categorical data derived from the outcome of the first stage.…”

“…Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to note that more modern calculations are not necessarily more accurate than EEDL and EPDL tabulations: this has been observed in cross sections for electron impact ionization [30] and in photoelectric cross sections [31].…”

“…The original validation process applied in several tests (e.g. [28], [29], [30], [31], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [25], [50] [51]) has gone into various refinements since its first development described in [50]. It consists of a two-stage process: the first stage encompasses goodness of fit testing, while the second deals with the analysis of categorical data derived from the outcome of the Generalization of the related software into a validation test system is planned in the context of the IDataLib project: it would be beneficial, as it would facilitate its use in future validation tests, regardless of the specific characteristics of the physics data and of the experimental measurements involved in the validation.…”

“…Only a relatively small portion of widely used atomic data libraries has been quantitatively validated with respect to experimental measurements. Some validation results reported in the literature concern cross sections for photon, electron and proton interactions, such as [28][29][30][31][41][42][43][44], atomic relaxation (e.g. [45]) and atomic parameters (e.g.…”