Straggling distributions of large energy losses

Abstract

The energy straggling distributions of non-relativistic heavy particles passing through a homogeneous absorber are determined for energy losses of up to 80% of the initial particle energy. Included is the single collision distribution for very small energy losses. The distributions are found to be most symmetrical at energy losses of about 50%. However, their asymmetry increases noticeably toward larger energy losses. The calculations are valid for initial energies of up to 30% of the particle rest energy. The lower energy limit is determined by the inner shell connections to the stopping power and by charge pick-up which were both neglected. The results apply to all absorber materials.