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Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of charged particle track structure has become an important tool in radiation biology. MC calculations provide detailed spatial information on the production of radiation damage to DNA and other cellular structures. To test the physical parameters used in these models and to explore details of electron transport in condensed matter we have initiated a comparison of MC results to measured doubly differential yields of electrons emitted from thin foils by the passage of fast charged particles. Our initial studies focus on the calculation of differential electron yields resulting from passage of 1–2 MeV protons through thin carbon foils using the MC code PARTRAC developed at the Institute of Radiation Protection — GSF, Neuherberg, Germany. Preliminary calculations are in relatively good agreement with spectra measured for secondary electrons with energies larger than about 50 eV, however large variations are observed for smaller energies. The effects of changes in such parameters as electron mean free path, elastic and inelastic electron scattering cross sections, and foil thickness are illustrated. © 2003 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]