[en] In present paper we consider several recently developed approaches to the simulation of muon ionization energy loss and multiple Coulomb scattering. The approximations used in various codes in simulating the direct pair production and bremsstrahlung by high energy muons are compared with the QED predictions. (orig.)

[en] MARS15 is a Monte Carlo code for inclusive and exclusive simulation of three-dimensional hadronic and electromagnetic cascades, muon, heavy-ion, and low-energy neutron transport in accelerator, detector, spacecraft, and shielding components in the energy range from a fraction of an electron volt up to 100 TeV. Main features of the code are described in this paper with a focus on recent developments and benchmarking. Newest developments concern inclusive and exclusive nuclear event generators, extended particle list in both modes, heavy-ion capability electromagnetic interactions, enhanced geometry, tracking, histograming and residual dose modules, improved graphical-user interface, and other external interfaces

[en] To evaluate the quality of general purpose particle interaction and transport codes widely used in the high-energy physics community, express benchmarking is conducted. Seven tasks, important for high-energy physics applications, are chosen. For this first shot, they are limited to particle production on thin and thick targets and energy deposition in targets and calorimetric setups. Five code groups were asked to perform calculations in the identical conditions and provide results to the authors of this report. Summary of the code inter-comparison and verification against available experimental data is presented in this paper. Agreement is quite reasonable in many cases, but quite serious problems were revealed in the others

[en] In order to meet the challenges of new accelerator and space projects and further improve modelling of radiation effects in microscopic objects, heavy-ion interaction and transport physics have been recently incorporated into the MARS15 Monte Carlo code. A brief description of new modules is given in comparison with experimental data. The MARS Monte Carlo code is widely used in numerous accelerator, detector, shielding and cosmic ray applications. The needs of the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider, Large Hadron Collider, Rare Isotope Accelerator and NASA projects have recently induced adding heavy-ion interaction and transport physics to the MARS15 code. The key modules of the new implementation are described below along with their comparisons to experimental data.

[en] The MARS code system, developed over 30 years, is a set of Monte Carlo programs for detailed simulation of hadronic and electromagnetic cascades in an arbitrary geometry of accelerator, detector and spacecraft components with particle energy ranging from a fraction of an electron volt up to 100 TeV. The new MARS15 (2004) version is described with an emphasis on modeling physics processes. This includes an extended list of elementary particles and arbitrary heavy ions, their interaction cross-sections, inclusive and exclusive nuclear event generators, photo - hadron production, correlated ionization energy loss and multiple Coulomb scattering, nuclide production and residual activation, and radiation damage (DPA). In particular, the details of a new model for leading baryon production and implementation of advanced versions of the Cascade-Exciton Model (CEM03), and the Los Alamos version of Quark-Gluon String Model (LAQGSM03) are given. The applications that are motivating these developments, needs for better nuclear data, and future physics improvements are described.

[en] The MARS code is under continuous development and has recently undergone substantial improvements that further increase its reliability and predictive power in numerous shielding, accelerator, detector and space applications. The major developments and new features of the MARS15 (2004) version described in this paper concern an extended list of elementary particles and arbitrary heavy ions and their interaction cross-sections, inclusive and exclusive nuclear event generators, module for modelling particle electromagnetic interactions, enhanced geometry and histograming options, improved MAD-MARS Beam Line Builder, enhanced Graphical-User Interface, and an MPI-based parallelization of the code.

[en] The MERIT experiment was designed as a proof-of-principle test of a target system based on a free mercury jet inside a 15-T solenoid that is capable of sustaining proton beam powers of up to 4 MW. The experiment was run at CERN in the fall of 2007. We describe the results of the tests and their implications

[en] Background levels in detectors and radiation problems at future colliders - whether pp, e⁺e^- or μ⁺μ^- - are in large part determined by the presence of muons. Neutrinos from muon decay at muon colliders or storage rings are highly collimated and propagate outward within a narrow disk in which significant radiation doses persist out to very large distances. This paper highlights physics models and Monte Carlo algorithms developed mainly for studying these problems as well as some typical results. (orig.)

[en] We test a target concept devised for the purpose of producing copious secondary pions and capturing the muon decay products. This experiment is designed to test the target system for a neutrino factory or muon collider and consists of a free flowing mercury stream embedded in a high-field solenoid. Key components are described

[en] The MERIT experiment was designed as a proof-of-principle test of a target system based on a free mercury jet inside a 15-T solenoid that is capable of sustaining proton beam powers of up to 4 MW. The experiment was run at CERN in the fall of 2007. We describe the results of the tests and their implications. Plans are being discussed for possible future machines which can deliver proton beams with multi-MW beam powers. A prominent application for these powerful beams will be to produce intense secondary beams suitable for investigating important physics issues. Examples include investigations of rare decay processes and neutrino oscillations. The Neutrino Factory and Muon Collider Collaboration [1] has proposed a target system [2, 3] which will be capable of supporting proton beam powers of 4 MW with the purpose of producing and collecting intense muon beams for eventual use in storage rings. The core of this proposed target system consists of a high-Z, free-flowing liquid mercury jet which intercepts the proton beam within the confines of a high-field (15-20 T) solenoid. An important attribute of this system is that the liquid jet target can be replaced for subsequent proton pulses. The experiment described in this paper was designed to provide a proof-of-principle demonstration of this concept. Preparations for this experiment have been previously reported [4]