title: Monte Carlo simulation of the energy loss of low-energy electrons in liquid water.
abstract: A Monte Carlo code that performs detailed (i.e. event-by-event) simulation of the transport and energy loss of low-energy electrons (approximately 50-10 000 eV) in water in the liquid phase is presented. The inelastic model for energy loss is based on a semi-empirical dielectric-response function for the valence-shells of the liquid whereas an exchange corrected semi-classical formula was used for K-shell ionization. Following a methodology widely used for the vapour phase, we succeeded in parametrizing the dielectric cross-sections of the liquid in accordance with the Bethe asymptote, thus providing a unified approach for both phases of water and greatly facilitating the computations. Born-corrections at lower energies have been implemented in terms of a second-order perturbation term with a simple Coulomb-field correction and the use of a Mott-type exchange modification. Angular deflections were determined by empirical schemes established from vapour data. Electron tracks generated by the code were used to calculate energy- and interaction-point-kernel distributions at low electron energies in liquid water. The effect of various model assumptions (e.g., dispersion, Born-corrections, phase) on both the single-collision and slowing-down distributions is examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, University of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina 451 10, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Emfietzoglou
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karava
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papamichael
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moscovitch
mesh_terms: D004583:Electrons; D018499:Linear Energy Transfer; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water