A novel Boltzmann equation solver for calculation of dose and fluence spectra distributions for proton beam therapy

TL;DR

This paper introduces a deterministic Boltzmann equation solver for proton therapy that maintains high physics accuracy without random noise, promising faster and more precise dose and fluence spectrum calculations.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel Boltzmann solver that preserves advanced physics accuracy while eliminating stochastic noise, applicable to various ion therapies.

Findings

Deterministic solver achieves high accuracy comparable to Monte Carlo methods.

Elimination of random noise improves solution stability and reproducibility.

Potential for faster dose calculations in proton therapy planning.

Abstract

The claim that Monte Carlo is the most accurate method is a case of misattributed credit. This claim is based on experience with advanced systems MCNPX, Geant4 and EGS. These systems achieve remarkable performance because they use most accurate physics, not because they use random numbers. The latter simplifies algorithms, but contaminates the solution with random noise. Currently prevalent fast Monte Carlo algorithms retain this worst part while achieving high computing speed at the expense of the best part- accurate physics. We employ an opposite strategy. We develop a Boltzmann solver for protons that retains unchanged the physics of most advanced Monte Carlo systems. We eliminate random noise, because our solution method is deterministic. Our method is also applicable to heavier ions, helium and carbon, for example. Results of the study provide a foundation for achieving a high computing speed with uncompromised accuracy in proton treatment planning systems.