Stopping in ion-surface collisions at high energies

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Total energy loss by high-energy protons colliding with surfaces at grazing angles is investigated in terms of the collision parameters. A quantum formulation for binary collisions between the projectile and the free-electron gas is developed. Detailed results are obtained by using a first-order perturbation theory, and they are compared with two other stopping mechanisms, plasmon excitations and ionization of bound electrons. The range of importance of each mechanism is established in terms of the projectile velocity and its incidence angle. It is concluded that at high impact velocities the stopping due to binary collisions with the free-electron gas is dominant. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}