Stopping power of a degenerate electron gas for slow ions: Influence of relative kinematics onZ1-oscillation

Abstract

Based on the kinetic theory of stopping of a homogeneous electron gas for heavy ions with nuclear charge ${Z}_{1}$, the intrinsic role of relative-kinematics in averaged binary energy transfers is investigated. The required quantum mechanical transport cross sections are computed with self-consistent screened potentials obtained in the Kohn-Sham mean-field approximation at embedding condition. Important changes, as a function of intruder velocities, are established in the ${Z}_{1}$-oscillation of the resulting theoretical stopping. The changes signal the need for a proper consideration of relative kinematics in predictions for inelastic energy losses in electron gases even at moderate ion-velocities, and suggest further studies to include atomistic channels to a complete understanding.