Track – a Monte Carlo computer code to assist design of scattering and collimating systems for proton therapy beams

Abstract

Purpose

Heavy charged particle therapy beams need to be modified before entering the target in order to deliver the prescribed spatial dose distribution. Small and medium lateral treatment fields are usually formed by a system of scatterers and collimators. A design goal is to mi-nimize the beam-losses in the vicinity of the patient in order to reduce the patient's irradiation by secondary particles while keeping a homo-geneous dose distribution over the treatment field.

Materials and methods

Track – a Monte Carlo code to calculate beam profiles on the target after passing through a system of scatterers and collimators has been developed. A physical model used in the code is presented. Its approximations and restrictions are discussed.

Results

Results of simulations are compared with experimental data. Validity of the current physical model is discussed.

Conclusions

The results are in a good agreement with experimental data.