Correct calculation of nitrogen charge state passing through highly ionized carbon plasmas.

Abstract

In the present work, we reanalyze the energy loss experimental data from Cayzac etal. [Nat. Commun. 8, 15693 (2017)10.1038/ncomms15693] using our successful ion charge state theoretical model. We predict lower nitrogen charge values, from 3.5+ to 5.0+, than the ones calculated by Cayzac etal., fitting better to their data. For energy loss estimations, we use the same stopping model, so our predictions agree better with the experimental data only due to our charge state model. Different projectile electron loss and capture processes are taken into account to estimate the projectile charge state. The projectile electron loss, or ionization, with plasma ions and free electrons are considered. On the other hand, the projectile electron capture, or recombination, with plasma free or bound electrons are also considered. The projectile ionization with plasma ions is shown as the main factor that modifies the mean charge of the projectile. Here, the new Kaganovich fitting formula for this projectile ionization is used because it seems to be more accurate than Gryzinsky's fitting in the low energy range. Our charge state model fits better with experimental data than any other model in the bibliography. Thus, it should be considered in any charge state and any energy loss estimation to obtain reliable results in future work.