Electronic Excitations of Slow Ions in a Free Electron Gas Metal: Evidence for Charge Exchange Effects

D. Primetzhofer, S. Rund, D. Roth, D. Goebl, and P. Bauer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 163201 – Published 11 October 2011

Abstract

Electronic energy loss of light ions transmitted through nanometer films of Al has been studied at very low ion velocities. For hydrogen, the electronic stopping power S is found to be perfectly proportional to velocity, as expected for a free electron gas. For He, the same is anticipated, but S shows a transition between two distinct regimes, in both of which S is velocity proportional—however, with remarkably different slopes. This finding can be explained as a consequence of charge exchange in close encounters between He and Al atoms, which represents an additional energy loss channel.

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  • Received 28 April 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.163201

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

D. Primetzhofer, S. Rund, D. Roth, D. Goebl, and P. Bauer

  • Institut für Experimentalphysik, Johannes-Kepler Universität Linz, A-4040 Linz, Austria

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Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 16 — 14 October 2011

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