Geant4 is a simulation toolkit for modelling the passage of particles through matter. It is widely used in high-energy physics, nuclear science, accelerator research, medical physics and space applications where particle interactions must be investigated computationally.
Rather than acting as a single-purpose simulation program, Geant4 provides components from which researchers can construct specialised applications. A typical model defines the experimental geometry, materials, particle sources and physical processes before tracking particles through the system.
During a simulation, particles may undergo scattering, lose energy, generate secondary particles or decay. Geant4 follows these processes using models selected for the relevant particle types and energy ranges. It can also record detector responses and other information needed for subsequent analysis.
This modular approach makes the toolkit suitable for very different research problems. Examples include evaluating detector designs, studying radiation shielding, calculating energy deposition in tissue and investigating the effects of particles on spacecraft components.
Geant4 is maintained by an international collaboration and includes reference physics configurations, visualisation facilities and examples that assist researchers in developing and validating their simulations.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Monte Carlo simulation of particle transport through matter.
- Detailed detector geometry and material descriptions.
- Electromagnetic, hadronic and optical photon interaction models.
- Configurable reference physics lists.
- Particle generation and primary event configuration.
- Tracking of primary and secondary particles.
- Modelling of particle decays and interaction products.
- Energy deposition and detector-response scoring.
- Sensitive detectors and hit recording.
- Magnetic and electric field propagation.
- Event, track and run management facilities.
- Geometry and particle trajectory visualisation.
- Multithreaded execution for computationally demanding studies.
- Interfaces for analysis and external event generators.
- Extensive application examples and physics documentation.
Website: www.geant4.org
Support:
Developer: Geant4 Collaboration
License: Geant4 Software License
Geant4 is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
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