A study of total reaction cross section models used in particle and heavy ion transport codes
Paper in proceeding, 2011

Understanding the interactions and propagations of high energy protons and heavy ions are essential when trying to estimate the biological effects of Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCR) and Solar Particle Events (SPE) on personnel in space. 12 To be able to calculate the shielding properties of different materials and radiation risks, particle and heavy ion transport codes are needed. In all particle and heavy ion transport codes, the probability function that a projectile particle will collide within a certain distance x in the matter depends on the total reaction cross sections, which also scale the calculated partial fragmentation cross sections. It is therefore crucial that accurate total reaction cross section models are used in the transport calculations. In this paper, different models for calculating nucleon-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus total reaction cross sections are compared with each other and with measurements. The uncertainties in the calculations with the different models are discussed, as well as their overall performances with respect to the available experimental data. Finally, a new compilation of experimental data is presented and new measurements to improve the current models are suggested.

Probability functions

Galactic cosmic rays

Current models

Shielding properties

High energy proton

Transport calculation

Biological effects

Solar particle events

Experimental data

Heavy-ion transport

Cross section

Radiation risk

Reaction cross-sections

Author

Lembit Sihver

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering

M. Lantz

Uppsala University

IEEE Aerospace Conference Proceedings

1095323X (ISSN)

5747246
978-142447350-2 (ISBN)

Subject Categories

Physical Sciences

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2011.5747246

ISBN

978-142447350-2

More information

Latest update

2/28/2018