Formation of singlet and triplet excited states on charge recombination in tracks of high-energy electrons in nonpolar liquids. A computer simulation study

Abstract

The diffusion and drift in each other's field of the ions and electrons in the tracks of high-energy electrons in nonpolar liquids is simulated by computer and the formations of singlet and triplet excited states on charge recombination is studied. Tracks of high-energy electrons are subdivided into tracks of secondary electrons that can be considered as independent from one another. Energy losses smaller than 50 or 100 keV are assumed to give rise to correlated groups of charges. The formation of singlets, resulting from the recombination of charges in these groups, is calculated as a function of the size of the energy loss. For electrons with an initial energy in excess of 50 or 100 keV the probability of singlet formation is calculated by summing the contributions of the energy losses below this value. The probability of singlet formation shows a pronounced energy dependence. Also the time evolution of the singlet formation is considered.