title: The sensitivity of backscattering coefficients to elastic scattering cross-sections and electron stopping powers.
abstract: The sensitivity of Monte Carlo estimates of backscattering coefficients η to the accuracy of their input data is examined by studying the percentage change in η due to changes of 10% and 20% in the differential elastic scattering cross-section dσ/dΩ and corresponding changes in the stopping power S(E) in the primary energy range 200-10,000 eV. To a good approximation equivalent elastic and inelastic scattering changes produce equal and opposite shifts in η, a result consistent with predictions of transport theory. For medium to high atomic numbers an x% error in the specification of either S(E) or dσ/dΩ produces a percentage change in η significantly less than x%, while at low atomic number Δη/η increases approximately linearly with ln E so that Monte Carlo predictions are then more sensitive to parameter precision at high energy.
authors: Department of Electronics, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom.
authors: C G H
authors: CG
authors: Walker
authors: Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom.
authors: J A D
authors: JA
authors: Matthew
authors: Department of Electronics, University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: El-Gomati
keywords: Monte Carlo; backscattering coefficient; continuous slowing down approximation; elastic scattering; electron transport; error propagation; stopping power