title: Modelling low energy electron and positron tracks for biomedical applications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To incorporate the effects of low energy electrons and positrons into radiation interaction models.
  
  
  METHODS
  The simulation method proposed here was based on experimental and theoretical cross section data and energy loss spectra we have previously derived. After a summary of the main techniques used to obtain reliable input data, the basis of a Low Energy Particle Track Simulation (LEPTS) procedure was established. The programme is specifically designed to describe electron and positron interactions below 10 keV, down to thermal energies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Single electron and positron tracks in water are presented and the possibility of using these results to develop tools for nanodosimetry is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Standard approximations based on high incident energies, such as the Born-Bethe theory, are not suitable to simulate electron and positron tracks below 10 keV. Prior to the inclusion of low-energy effects in a radiation model, an appropriate study is required to determine both the interaction cross sections and the energy loss spectra.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Física Fundamental, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Serrano 113-bis, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: Martina C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fuss
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Limão-Vieira
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brunger
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Buckman
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: García
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D004583:Electrons; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water