Atomic and Molecular Data Required for the Behavior of Heavy Particles near the Bragg Peak

K. Moribayashi

Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute,8-1, Umemidai, Kizu-cho, Kyoto, 619-0215, Japan

Heavy particles (HP) are good research objects for atomic and molecular, radiation, biological physics, and medical science. In the field of medical science, the heavy particle cancer therapy (HPCT) method has been rigorously studied to try to improve cancer therapy efficiency. Secondary low energy electrons and radical molecules are produced through atomic and molecular processes such as ionization, charge transfer, and electron loss caused by the interaction of heavy particles with water (biological material) near the Bragg Peak. They play an important role in damaging the DNA. Therefore, the study of atomic and molecular processes is necessary for the development of HPCT. However, there is no available data on the cross sections for these processes except for protons and α particles as far as we know. Here, we study the scaling laws [1,2] for the cross sections of ionization and charge transfer processes through the interaction of HP with molecules such as H2 and H2O as a function of the HP charges. Further, with the use of this data, we study the behavior of heavy particles near the Bragg Peak.

References

[1]H. Knudsen, H.K. Haugen, and P.Hvelplund, Phys. Rev. A23 (1981) 597
[2]G.H. Gillespie, J. Phys. B, 15 (1982) L729