The response of Geant4 hadronic models to the study of neutrons produced in proton irradiation to the light materials

Neutron is one of the products of the interaction of high energy protons with light nuclei. Using computational Monte Carlo codes, it is possible to calculate and predict the neutron spectrum, neutron flux, and doses by simulating the system. But the use of different hadronic models in this process can influence the results of these calculations. In this research, the response of the four hadronic models in the Geant4 Monte Carlo tool is compared with each other in the interaction of proton with light nuclei in terms of the characteristics of the produced neutrons. These models are referred to as the binary cascade model, the Precompound model, the Bertini intranuclear cascade model, and the Liege Intranuclear Cascade model. This comparison has been done in the area of clinical energy in proton therapy. Also, the results of this simulation are compared with experimental data and the adaptation or incompatibility of these models with empirical results has been reviewed and interpreted. The results show that none of the studied models fully reproduces empirical results, but in a certain range of energy, the Bertini model has the best fit with experimental results.