Theoretical description of proton and helium ion elastic scattering in biological media

Describing the transport of charged particles in biological medium is nowadays an active field of research to predict the radiobiological consequences and to adapt the radiotherapeutic protocols. For this aim, Monte Carlo track structure codes - based on accurate cross section databases - represent the most suitable and powerful tool. In the current work, we report on elastic scattering single differential and total cross sections for H+, He+ and He2+ in water and on DNA components (adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, sugar-phosphate backbone) in the energy range of 10 keV/u-100 MeV/u. The calculations are performed within the classical framework by using a quantum-mechanical modeling of the charged projectile–target interaction. Results are compared with available data in literature in terms of cross sections and nuclear stopping powers for protons and α-particles in water and DNA.