Vector Monte Carlo for simulation of polarized photons

Abstract

Based on a recent analytical solution of vector transport equations in plane geometry including polarization effects, a vector scheme for a Monte Carlo code was worked out. The new code, called MC-SHAPE, was developed both to emphasize the miscalculation in using the scalar approach with average polarization kernels and to extend results obtained with the analytical solution of the transport equation to higher orders of interaction. The code includes the Doppler broadening giving the momentum distribution due to electron pre-collision motion. To improve the comparison with analytical results, the code takes some feature from this model, which considers the scattering of a monochromatic and monodirectional collimated beam of x-rays on a semi-infinite and homogeneous target. Results of the evolution of the four components of the Stokes vector describing the back-scattered beam, are presented which allow the analysis of the complete polarization characteristics of the multiple scattering of Rayleigh and Compton effects. The good agreement found with both deterministic calculations and experimental data indicates the validity of the new code. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.