Hieke A.
GEMIO Technologies, Inc., US
Keywords: electron, electron beam irradiation, electron energy loss, electron scattering, gas, matter, Monte Carlo simulation, solid, sterilization
Increased awareness to use environmentally friendly methods for surface sterilization has rejuvenated interest in methods based on electron beam irradiation. Thus far, Monte Carlo electron beam simulations have been described either as typical electron optics simulations (i.e. collision free in vacuum), or exclusively in solids or gases with emphasis on the electron matter interaction. By combining different modeling approaches for the various domains a more complex simulation system can be created which permits to model the entire path of electrons from an emitting metal cathode, through high vacuum, through a solid object (typically a thin foil acting as wall), into air and onto a target. Very recently, highly accurate solutions for differential and total elastic scattering cross sections of electrons with E >=1keV on various neutral atoms have been published which are based on Dirac partial-wave calculation using the ELSEPA code. These data are being incorporated in the presented simulation system. The mean free path between elastic scattering events for 100keV electrons in Titanium is about 50nm and the energy loss per distance traveled is on the order of 1.3eV/nm. The electron trajectory integration regimes are different for vacuum and medium. Electrons are continuously tracked and scattering events are considered individually, i.e. no averaging or “condensed history” or other simplifying approaches are employed in the simulation.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Nanotechnology 2008: Microsystems, Photonics, Sensors, Fluidics, Modeling, and Simulation – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 697 - 700
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Informatics, Modeling & Simulation
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8505-1