Dear expert,
I hope this message finds you well. I am currently engaged in a learning endeavor regarding particle transport simulations using Monte Carlo methods and I am seeking some expert insights.
I have been working with two prominent simulation software tools, MCNP and FLUKA, and I’ve noticed a difference in the way they present cross-section data for particles. While MCNP provides cross-sections for photons, electrons, and protons, FLUKA seems to focus more on neutron cross-sections, at least from my initial exploration.
My question is: in the context of Monte Carlo simulations, is it necessary to include cross-section data for charged particles like electrons and protons? I understand that these cross-sections play a crucial role in determining the probability of interactions between particles and the medium they traverse.
I believe that the accuracy of a simulation heavily relies on the comprehensiveness of the cross-section data included. However, I am not sure if omitting certain types of cross-sections could lead to significant inaccuracies or if the simulation can still provide useful results without them.
I would greatly appreciate any guidance or advice from your experiences or knowledge in this area. Your input would be invaluable in enhancing my understanding of these complex simulations.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
lway
Not really. In FLUKA, low-energy (< 20 MeV) neutron cross sections come from external libraries, featuring a dedicated treatment, and that’s why the manual focuses more extensively on them. Nevertheless, cross sections for all other kinds of particles are included in the code, which calculates them internally.
Of course, if certain cross sections are not included in a code, the latter cannot properly treat the respective processes. But, as pointed out above, the assumption that FLUKA misses charged particle cross sections is orthogonal to reality.