Full Geant4 and FLUKA Simulations of an e-LINAC for its Use in Particle Detectors Performance Tests

TL;DR

This study uses detailed Geant4 and FLUKA simulations, validated against dosimetry data, to characterize an electron LINAC for potential use in testing space detector systems during non-radiotherapy periods.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive simulation and comparison approach to determine electron beam parameters of a clinical LINAC for detector testing applications.

Findings

Electron energy ranges from 4 to 20 MeV.

Simulation results agree with dosimetry measurements.

Beam parameters can be accurately extracted for detector testing.

Abstract

In this work we present the results of full Geant4 and FLUKA simulations and comparison with dosimetry data of an electron LINAC of St. Maria Hospital located in Terni, Italy. The facility is being used primarily for radiotherapy and the goal of present study is the detailed investigation of electron beam parameters to evaluate the possibility to use the e-LINAC (during time slots when it is not used for radiotherapy) to test the performance of detector systems in particular those designed to operate in space. The critical beam parameters are electron energy, profile and flux available at the surface of device to be tested. The present work aims to extract these parameters from dosimetry calibration data available at the e-LINAC. The electron energy ranges is from 4 MeV to 20 MeV. The dose measurements have been performed by using an Advanced Markus Chamber which has a small sensitive volume.