Theoretical study of charge transfer dynamics in collisions of C6+ carbon ions with pyrimidine nucleobases

Abstract

A theoretical approach of the charge transfer dynamics induced by collision of C6+ ions with biological targets has been performed in a wide collision energy range by means of ab-initio quantum chemistry molecular methods. The process has been investigated for the target series thymine, uracil and 5-halouracil corresponding to similar molecules with different substituent on carbon C5. Such a study may be related to hadrontherapy treatments by C6+carbon ions and may provide, in particular, information on the radio-sensitivity of the different bases with regard to ion-induced radiation damage. The results have been compared to a previous analysis concerning the collision of C4+ carbon ions with the same biomolecular targets and significant charge effects have been pointed out.