Energy Loss, Range and Straggling of Light Ions in Polystyrene Film

Abstract

Energy loss of alpha particles of energy 5.48 MeV [Am-241], has measured in polystyrene (Ps) films at a pressure of 4.4-7 mbar. The experiment was carried out using the alpha ray spectrometer consisting of Silicon Surface Barrier Detector. The alpha source and the detector were kept at a fixed distance of 12mm in scattering chamber. The energy calibration of alpha particles in vacuum at a pressure of 4.4 mbar is 9.64KeV/channel. The value of energy loss found in polystyrene film is 3.418 MeV and the computed stopping power [SRIM 2008] for alpha particle in polystyrene film is 1.0600×102 MeV/mm. The nuclear, electronic energy loss and projected range as a function of projectile energy in the range 2-10 MeV for alpha particles in polystyrene film is also studied using SRIM. It was found that the stopping power of alpha particles in polystyrene film decreases exponentially as transmitted energy increases. Further the projected range of alpha particles increases exponentially as energy increases.