1. Collaborative planning for ion physics activities
M.G. Pia et al.
Geant4 Workshop
Bordeaux, 7-10 November 2005

2. A relatively new domain…
Not much attention devoted to ion interactions in Geant4 so far
other priorities, not lack of interest
we have the chance to “do it right” from the beginning, if we agree on a coherent plan of activities and we work at it collaboratively
Needed in various application domains: increasing interest
high energy physics
space science
medical physics (hadrontherapy)
What are the requirements from the various application domains?
Sound requirements engineering would be desirable
Requirements from different communities may partly overlap, but also exhibit peculiar experimental needs

3. Current status
Let him who knows what is currently in Geant4 cast the first stone…
Not only a hadronic physics issue
Transparency and documentation to be improved in EM domain too
Documenting what is actually available would already be a significant step forward
documenting = understanding the physics model, its assumptions, its parameters, its applicability limits, references in literature etc.
Quantitative documentation of validation of existing physics models is the first step needed
identify how good what we have is
identify areas where improvements are needed
evaluate is expectations for improvement are indeed realistic

4. Open questions… Work still needed in the EM processes for ions
Design iteration urgently needed to provide adequate precision both for hadrons and ions
current critical situation due to uncontrolled design change w.r.t. original design
e.m. physics
e.m. + Binary ion set
Susanna’s talk at MC 2005
GCR α
The contribution of the hadronic interactions looks negligible in the calculation of the energy deposit

5. Build physics on solid ground
It is a difficult physics domain
Proliferation of physics models, parameters and “variations on the theme” is expected over a long time scale
Sound design is mandatory
Software development discipline facilitates transparency of physics
Build testing into the physics process development itself

6. Vision Coordination with related projects Geant4-DNA
Hadrontherapy: physics + biological effects of radiation
Radiation protection
see Susanna’s PhD thesis (Radiation protection in interplanetary manned missions)
Radiation background at LHC
Space science
etc.

7. Scenario for Aurora Geant4 macroscopic physics processes
+ biological processes at cellular level
Geant4 simulation
space environment +
spacecraft, shielding etc.
anthropomorphic phantom
Dose in organs at risk
Oncological risk to astronauts
Risk of nervous system damage
Phase space input to nano-simulation
Geant4
macroscopic processes +
DNA processes