2015/2016

2015/2016

DM270

FIS/07 (APPLIED PHYSICS (CULTURAL HERITAGE, ENVIRONMENT, BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE))

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

FISICA BIOSANITARIA

1°

1st semester (12/10/2015 - 22/01/2016)

6

48 lesson hours

ITALIAN

ORAL TEST

BORTOLUSSI SILVA (titolare) - 5 ECTS
BALLARINI FRANCESCA - 1 ECTS

Basic notions of nuclear physics, Monte Carlo method, interaction radiation-matter.

Learning of the fundamental concepts and methods of the techniques to simulate the interaction of the radiation with matter. Learning of the basics of a transport code. Learning of the main aspects of modelling radiation-induced biological effects.

The first part of the course is dedicated to the simulation code MCNP, which transports neutrons, photons and electrons, as well as charged particles in its latest versions. There will be a series of practical lessons, after a brief theoretical introduction, in which the students will learn to create an input file and to simulate transport problems. At the end of this first part, the students will be basic users of MCNP and will be able to create geometries, to set the physics, to make requests to the program and to analyze the results from a statistical point of view. The second part of the course is dedicated to the modelization and simulation of radiation-induced biological effects at the sub-cellular/cellular level and at the level of tissues and organs. The attention will be focused on chromosome aberrations and their consequences in terms of cell death or cell conversion to malignancy, as well as the modelization of such effects at the tissue/organ level, with examples of applications in hadrontherapy and space radiation protection. Seminars will also be offered to the students as a general introduction to the simulation codes FLUKA and GEANT-4, and their applications in the field of bio-sanitary physics.

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Lecture notes
Manuals of MCNP, FLUKA, GEANT4
E. Alpen, Radiation Biophysics, Elsevier

Practical and oral examination. The practical part will consist of the resolution of an exercise of MCNP simulation, which will be discussed afterwards. The oral part will be related to the modelization of radiation-induced biological damage.

Practical and oral examination. The practical part will consist of the resolution of an exercise of MCNP simulation, which will be discussed afterwards. The oral part will be related to the modelization of radiation-induced biological damage.