Energy deposition of heavy ions in matter

Abstract

The energy loss of heavy ions in matter is completely different from the case of laser beams. Whereas laser radiation produces a plasma on the surface of the target and heats the volume mostly by shock waves, heavy ions penetrate deep into the target with an almost-constant energy loss in the beginning and a very high energy loss at the end of the range, the so called “Bragg peak.” This special behavior offers excellent possibilities for the examination of critical points of different materials, the measurement of benchmarks for equations of state, production and detection of X-rays and XUV radiation, investigations in physics of overdense plasma, and many more topics. In particular, heavy ion beams are considered to be a very efficient driver for an inertial confinement fusion power plant. Thus, research on the elementary processes of the energy deposition of heavy ions in matter with respect to inertial fusion energy is of primary interest.