Quantitative estimation of track segment yields of water radiolysis species under heavy ions around Bragg peak energies using Geant4-DNA

We evaluate the track segment yield G′ of typical water radiolysis products (e(aq)(−), (·)OH and H(2)O(2)) under heavy ions (He, C and Fe ions) using a Monte Carlo simulation code in the Geant4-DNA. Furthermore, we reproduce experimental results of (·)OH of He and C ions around the Bragg peak energies (< 6 MeV/u). In the relatively high energy region (e.g., > 10 MeV/u), the simulation results using Geant4-DNA have agreed with experimental results. However, the G-values of water radiolysis species have not been properly evaluated around the Bragg peak energies, at which high ionizing density can be expected. Around the Bragg peak energy, dense continuous secondary products are generated, so that it is necessary to simulate the radical–radical reaction more accurately. To do so, we added the role of secondary products formed by irradiation. Consequently, our simulation results are in good agreement with experimental results and previous simulations not only in the high-energy region but also around the Bragg peak. Several future issues are also discussed regarding the roles of fragmentation and multi-ionization to realize more realistic simulations.