Bragg peak shape parameters as a tool for improving the < I > - value estimation

摘要

It is shown, for the first time in a systematic way, that by employing experimentalconstraints on the shape parameters of the Bragg peak, along with its position, the accuracy inempirical estimation of the mean ionization potential of the stopping medium can be improved. Theparticular case considered in the present work has a high relevance for hadrontherapy, namely beamsof 12C ions stopped in water targets. Experimental data at 12 incident beam energies in the range ofinterest for therapy are compared with the numerical simulations performed with the FLUKA andPHITS computer codes. For each data set a narrow range of values for the mean ionization potentialof water is obtained.