Cross Sections for Bremsstrahlung Production and Electron-Impact Ionization

Abstract

Electron transport codes require extensive information on the cross sections that govern electron interactions with the atoms that make up the medium. These processes include bremsstrahlung production in the atomic field, excitation and ionization of atomic electrons, and elastic scattering by screened atomic nuclei. These fundamental processes are of basic interest in many fields, but their inclusion in general purpose Monte Carlo transport codes imposes the requirement that reasonably accurate cross-section data be available over a very wide range of energies and for virtually any material. In this chapter, we discuss two of these processes: bremsstrahlung production and electron—impact ionization. Both of these interactions result in the production of secondary radiations that can be important in radiation transport calculations. Other processes are covered elsewhere in this volume.