Transport of electrons and positrons impinging on solid targets: A comparative study performed by using a Monte Carlo simulation

Using the Monte Carlo simulation technique, the behaviour of electrons and positrons when impinging on solid targets has been investigated. The examined particle energy range is 1-5 keV. For that purpose the elastic scattering is based on exact cross sections of effective crystalline potentials whereas inelastic scattering processes are described by the Penn model and Ashley theory for positrons and electrons, respectively. The obtained results for aluminium, silver and gold semi-infinite targets are compared with the available experimental and theoretical data reported in the literature. Very good agreement is observed between our findings and experiment. The differences and the similarities between positrons and electrons penetration and backscattering features have been examined and discussed.