MC_INFN

Local coordinator: Gianfranco Paternò

MC-INFN is a project involving INFN researchers who deal with Monte Carlo simulations of particle tracking within matter, using in particular the Geant4 code and its derivatives. Geant4 is an open-source code written in C++ that takes advantage of all the features of object-oriented programming to provide the user with maximum freedom in the description of the geometry, the choice of physics models and the scoring of the quantities of interest. The Ferrara group deals with the development and extension of models of coherent interactions of charged particles and photons in crystalline and amorphous materials. Models of coherent interactions of charged particles in oriented crystals are fundamental for the simulation of a crystalline undulator (TECHNO-CLS project) and compact calorimeters using scintillator crystals (OREO project). On the other hand, the extent of coherent X-ray interactions in matter are critical for simulating advanced X-ray imaging techniques such as phase-contrast imaging, which is useful for increasing soft tissue contrast compared to conventional techniques. A further activity concerns internal dosimetry studies in nuclear medicine, both through the full Monte Carlo approach and through kernel (voxel) dosimetry.