A comparative study of multiple scattering calculations implemented in general–purpose Monte Carlo and selected ion beam analysis codes

Abstract In the present work extensive multiple scattering (i.e. angular straggling) calculations were performed, implementing general–purpose Monte Carlo codes (GEANT4, MCNP6.1, FLUKA, PHITS) and selected, dedicated ion beam analysis programs (such as SRIM2013 and SIMNRA7.03), using 158.6 MeV protons impinging on a variety of thin or semi–thick, pure, single–element targets, such as carbon, aluminum, copper, tin, lead, beryllium and zinc, which are typically used as shielding materials or components in complex devices, in order to investigate all the occurring differences and similarities with respect to the experimental results obtained in the classic work of Gottschalk et al. [1] . Polystyrene was the only compound target to be examined, since it is a plastic commonly used in various applications. The obtained results are presented in graphical form, as ratios to the available experimental data from [1] for various target thicknesses and are subsequently discussed and analyzed.