THE FRAGMENTATION OF 510-MEV NUCLEON FE-56 IN POLYETHYLENE .2. COMPARISONS BETWEEN DATA AND A MODEL/

The results of a Monte Carlo model for calculating fragment fluences a nd LET spectra are compared to data taken with 600 MeV/nucleon iron io ns incident on an accelerator beamline configured for irradiation of b iological samples, with no target and with 2, 5 and 8 cm of polyethyle ne. The model uses a multi-generation nuclear fragmentation code, coup led with a formulation of ionization energy loss based on the Bethe-Bl och equation. In the region where the data are reliable and the experi mental acceptance is well understood, many of the features of the expe rimental spectra are well replicated by the model. To obtain good agre ement with the experimental data, the model must allow for at least tw o generations of fragment production in the target. (C) 1996 by Radiat ion Research Society