Simple tools to compare cross sections of various compounds with plotting
This tool contains two parts, a Geant4 macro that allows simple output of cross section data, and a python plotting routine. Geant4 is a simulation toolkit used to study particle transport through matter, and can be downloaded here.
Compiling the macro
Ensure that you already have a version of Geant4 (preferably >10.2) installed and that it is in the system path. Then:
mkdir /path/to/build/directory
cd /path/to/build/directory
cmake /path/to/this/source
make
Using the macro
The macro works much like most Geant4 macros, though notably it allows you to choose the Em Physics list you want, and also to produce output cross sections
Set the Em Model
/phys/addPhysics G4EmStandardPhysics_option4
EM physics lists must first be defined as includes in src/PhysicsList.cc
Record Cross Section Data
/phys/printxs particle material process en_min en_max cut_energy
This command saves a data file with the name
particle_material_process_en_min_en_max.dat. It contains the cross section in
100eV intervals between en_min and en_max. Both en_min and en_max should be in units of MeV. cut_energy is in keV.
The material parameter can be any NIST material, or any material name defined
in the logic sequence inside the SaveXS method of src/PhysicsList.cc.