title: On small angle multiple coulomb scattering of protons in the gaussian approximation.
abstract: Experimental data from the literature on small-angle multiple Coulomb scattering of protons in various materials were analysed in order to device an equation for the scattering angle in the Gaussian approximation. In comparison to Highland's well-known formula, the present approximation can be integrated to take into account energy loss in the scattering media. In addition, it is more precise than Highland's formulation for thin and thick scatterers consisting of elements with low atomic number. The simple equation obtained in this study can be used to obtain prompt answers for scattering problems which can occur, for example, in proton therapy or proton radiography.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Radio-Onkologie und Nuklearmedizin, Stadtspital Triemli, Zürich.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Besserer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pemler
mesh_terms: D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016011:Normal Distribution; D011522:Protons; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D011522:Protons