Projectile Electron Loss Research Articles

A Critical Analysis of Target Ionization and Projectile Electron Loss in Neutral– and Ion–Atom Collisions

Electron removal (target ionization and/or projectile electron loss) in neutral–atom collisions is theoretically studied for the impact of H0, He0 and He+ beams on noble gases (He, Ne and Ar). These reactions are investigated theoretically within the Continuum Distorted Wave-Eikonal Initial State model. New features have been included in the theoretical model: (i) a scaled projectile charge depending on its velocity and charge, (ii) a dynamic projectile-effective-charge depending on the momentum transfer, and (iii) a dynamic target-effective-charge depending on the kinematics of the emitted electron. The energy and angular spectra of emitted electrons from the target and from the projectile are calculated and compared with the available experimental data. Also, the influence of each one of the corrections on the resulting spectra will be studied.

Comparing different charge-state models with experimental data of ion beams penetrating fully and partially ionized plasmas

In the present work, we have conducted a study to investigate the validity of three different charge-state models of ion beams penetrating plasma targets through a comparison with a total of five experiments from the literature. We have applied two alternative theoretical approaches. On the one hand, we have used a further extension of our cross-sectional model (CSM) code based on projectile electron loss and capture cross sections (rate equations) that was developed previously [Morales et al., Phys. Plasmas 24, 042703 (2017); R. Morales, Ph.D. thesis (Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 2019)]. On the other hand, we also used two charge-state models based on a semi-empirical formalism adapted to the plasma case: the Kreussler model [Kreussler et al., Phys. Rev. B 23, 82 (1981)] and the Gus'kov model [Guskov et al., Plasma Phys. Rep. 35, 709 (2009)]. Specifically, we present the predictions and the interpretation of the charge state of light to heavier ions at high, intermediate, and low velocities in Z-pinch and laser-produced partially and fully ionized plasmas. We are showing that experimental data support our new CSM code based on the cross-sectional formalism. In contrast, the framework based on semi-empirical formulas is less accurate for a precise charge-state prediction, but it can be applied for a reasonable stopping power calculation. Overall, results denote that the Gus'kov model is better suited to stopping power calculations at low projectile velocities and the Kreussler model fits better the energy loss data at intermediate velocities. Additionally, we propose a simple non-equilibrium charge model, derived from the semi-empirical framework, as a function of the ion path and equilibrium charge state.

Projectile electron loss, excitation and de-excitation cross section database in a collision between two hydrogen atoms in the impact energy range between 50 keV–5.0 MeV, Part I: Target is in ground state

We present projectile electron loss, excitation, and de-excitation cross-sections database for H(nl)+H(1s) collision system. A four-body classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) and a quasi-classical trajectory Monte Carlo (QCTMC) methods were employed in the projectile energy range between 50 keV to 5.0 MeV.

Correct calculation of nitrogen charge state passing through highly ionized carbon plasmas.

In the present work, we reanalyze the energy loss experimental data from Cayzac etal. [Nat. Commun. 8, 15693 (2017)10.1038/ncomms15693] using our successful ion charge state theoretical model. We predict lower nitrogen charge values, from 3.5+ to 5.0+, than the ones calculated by Cayzac etal., fitting better to their data. For energy loss estimations, we use the same stopping model, so our predictions agree better with the experimental data only due to our charge state model. Different projectile electron loss and capture processes are taken into account to estimate the projectile charge state. The projectile electron loss, or ionization, with plasma ions and free electrons are considered. On the other hand, the projectile electron capture, or recombination, with plasma free or bound electrons are also considered. The projectile ionization with plasma ions is shown as the main factor that modifies the mean charge of the projectile. Here, the new Kaganovich fitting formula for this projectile ionization is used because it seems to be more accurate than Gryzinsky's fitting in the low energy range. Our charge state model fits better with experimental data than any other model in the bibliography. Thus, it should be considered in any charge state and any energy loss estimation to obtain reliable results in future work.

First results from the Jordan COLTRIMS imaging system

A Cold Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy (COLTRIMS) apparatus has been constructed and operated cooperatively by the Atomic and Molecular Physics Laboratory in the Physics Department at the Hashemite University, Jordan, and the Atomic and Molecular Physics Group at the 4.75MeV Van de Graaff Accelerator Facility at the University of Jordan. This COLTRIMS imaging system allows the investigation of the dynamics of various ion impact induced atomic and molecular interactions and fragmentations. The performance of the COLTRIMS system was tested by carrying out preliminary studies of two collision systems. In the first study, electron capture processes in the He2+–Ne collision system at 0.25 and 1.0MeV impact energies were investigated. Significant simultaneous electron capture and target excitation has been observed for the 0.25MeV as opposed to the 1.0MeV impact energy. In the other study, projectile single electron loss and simultaneous single target ionization in the O+–He collision system was studied at three different projectile impact energies: 0.6, 1.45 and 2MeV. Enhancement of the electron–electron contribution to projectile electron loss with increasing collision energy has been observed.

Classical treatment of Li2++Ar and He2++Ar collisions

SynopsisClassical Trajectory Monte Carlo calculations are carried out for Li2++Ar and He2++Ar collisions, motivated by recent experiments on these systems. Cross sections for electron capture, projectile electron loss and target multiple ionization processes are evaluated and compared to the experimental values in the 75-500 keV/amy impact energy range.

Total projectile electron loss cross sections ofU28+ions in collisions with gaseous targets ranging from hydrogen to krypton

Beam lifetimes of stored ${\mathrm{U}}^{28+}$ ions with kinetic energies of 30 and $50\text{ }\mathrm{MeV}/\mathrm{u}$, respectively, were measured in the experimental storage ring of the GSI accelerator facility. By using the internal gas target station of the experimental storage ring, it was possible to obtain total projectile electron loss cross sections for collisions with several gaseous targets ranging from hydrogen to krypton from the beam lifetime data. The resulting experimental cross sections are compared to predictions by two theoretical approaches, namely the CTMC method and a combination of the DEPOSIT code and the RICODE program.

Electron emission in ionization of He and Ne by fast dressed oxygen ions and projectile-charge-state dependence

The double-differential cross sections (DDCS) of low-energy electrons emitted at forward, backward, and perpendicular directions are reported for collisions of 3.75 MeV/u ${\mathrm{O}}^{q+}$ ($q=5$, 6, 7, 8) projectiles with He and Ne targets. The measured DDCS are found to be deviating from the ${q}^{2}$ dependence throughout the entire energy region. The effect of projectile electrons, for the dressed ions, as a function of the impact parameter is clearly noticeable for large as well as low-impact parameter collisions. We also present a theoretical calculation based on the prior form of the continuum distorted wave--eikonal initial state approximation, in which the projectile-active electron interaction is modeled with the Green-Sellin-Zachor potential. This particular representation of the potential has been proven to give good qualitative results for projectiles with residual electrons. In addition to the total DDCS, the individual contributions from target ionization, projectile electron loss, and simultaneous ionization processes are also calculated. The total DDCS obtained from these calculations are shown to be in excellent agreement with the experimental observations.

Dressed projectile charge state dependence of differential electron emission from Ne atom

We study the projectile charge state dependence of doubly differential electron emission cross section (DDCS) in ionization of Ne under the impact of dressed and bare oxygen ions. Experimental DDCS results measured at different angles are compared with the calculations based on a CDW-EIS approximation using the GSZ model potential to describe projectile active-electron interaction. This prescription gives an overall very good agreement. In general a deviation from the q2-law was observed in the DDCS. The observations crudely identify the dominance of different projectile electron loss mechanisms at certain electron energy range.

Electron emission in collisions of dressed ions with He atoms

We present theoretical and experimental results for angular and energy distributions of electrons emitted in collisions of B2+ with He atoms. In particular, we analyze the cusp formed by projectile Electron Loss to Continuum (ELC) and Electron Capture to Continuum (ECC). The cusp shape dependence on the electronic initial state is discussed and compared with our previous measurements on Li+ + He. The projectile incident energy was about 414 keV/u and the electron detection angle was varied between 0° and 150°. The experimental data is compared with three-body quantum Continuum-Distorted-Wave calculations.

Projectile electron loss in collisions of light charged ions with helium

We investigate the single-electron loss processes of light charged ions (Li1+,2+, C2+,3+,5+, and O2+,3+) in collisions with helium. To better understand the experimental results, we propose a theoretical model to calculate the cross section of projectile electron loss. In this model, an ionization radius of the incident ion was defined under the classical over-barrier model, and we developed “strings" to explain the processes of projectile electron loss, which is similar with the molecular over-barrier model. Theoretical calculations are in good agreement with the experimental results for the cross section of single-electron loss and the ratio of double-to-single ionization of helium associated with one-electron loss.

Ion-impact-induced interatomic Coulombic decay in neon and argon dimers

We investigate the contribution of interatomic Coulombic decay induced by ion impact in neon and argon dimers (Ne${}_{2}$ and Ar${}_{2}$) to the production of low-energy electrons. Our experiments cover a broad range of perturbation strengths and reaction channels. We use 11.37 MeV/u S${}^{14+}$, 0.125 MeV/u He${}^{1+}$, 0.1625 MeV/u He${}^{1+}$, and 0.150 MeV/u He${}^{2+}$ as projectiles and study ionization, single and double electron transfer to the projectile, as well as projectile electron loss processes. The application of a COLTRIMS reaction microscope enables us to retrieve the three-dimensional momentum vectors of the ion pairs of the fragmenting dimer into Ne${}^{q+}$-Ne${}^{1+}$ and Ar${}^{q+}$-Ar${}^{1+}$ ($q=$ 1, 2, 3) in coincidence with at least one emitted electron.

Cross sections for bare and dressed carbon ions in water and neon

The paper presents calculated cross sections for bare and dressed carbon projectiles of charge states q (0 to 6) with energies 1–104 keV u–1 impacting on molecular water and atomic neon targets. The cross sections of water are of interest for radiobiological studies, but there are very few experimental data for water in any phase, while those for liquid water are non-existent. The more extensive experimental database for the neon target made it possible to test the reliability of the model calculations for the many-electron collision system. The current calculations cover major single and double electronic interactions of low and intermediate energy carbon projectiles. The three-body classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) method was used for the calculation of one-electron transition probabilities for target ionization, electron capture and projectile electron loss. The many-electron problem was taken into account using statistical methods: a modified independent event model was used for pure (direct) and simultaneous target and projectile ionizations, and the independent particle model for pure electron capture and electron capture accompanied by target ionization. Results are presented for double differential cross sections (DDCS) for total electron emission by carbon projectile impact on neon. For the water target, we present the following: single differential cross sections (SDCS) and DDCS for single target ionization; total cross sections (TCS) for electron emission; TCS for the pure single electronic interactions; equilibrium charge state fractions; and stopping cross sections. The results were found to be in satisfactory agreement with the experimental data in many cases, including DDCS and SDCS for the single target ionization, TCS for the total electron emission and TCS for the pure single electron capture. The stopping cross sections of this work are consistent with the other model calculations for projectile energies ≥800 keV u–1, but smaller than the other calculations at lower energies. The discrepancy arises from the inclusion of all carbon charge states and coupling between electron capture and target ionization channels, while other models use an average projectile charge. The CTMC model presented here provides a tool for cross section calculations for low and intermediate energy carbon projectiles. The calculated cross sections are required for Monte Carlo track structure simulations of full-slowing-down tracks of carbon ions. The work paves the way for biophysical studies and dosimetry at the cellular and subcellular levels in the Bragg peak area of a therapeutic carbon ion beam.

Young-type interference in projectile-electron loss in energetic ion-molecule collisions

We propose an alternative and very promising scenario for studying the Young-type-interference phenomena in energetic ion-molecule collisions. In such a scenario, we focus on the energy spectra of electrons that are ionized from the bound states of fast moving projectiles. We argue that under certain conditions these (projectile) electrons interact mainly with the nuclei and inner-shell electrons of atoms forming the molecule. Due to their compact localization in space and distinct separation from each other, these molecular centers play a role similar to that of optical slits in light scattering leading to pronounced interference patterns in electron energy distributions.

Projectile charge changing correlated with K-x-ray emission in O5+ + He and Ar collisions

Projectile and target K-x-ray emission associated with projectile charge changing was investigated for 12-30 MeV O5+ + He and Ar collisions. Negligible projectile x-ray emission was observed in coincidence with projectile electron capture or loss, while target x-ray emission correlated to projectile charge changing was seen. Differential cross sections were measured for correlated and uncorrelated x-ray emission.

Free-collision model calculations for projectile electron loss by the H2 molecule

An extended version of the free-collision model was employed for the calculation of the electron-loss cross sections of projectiles carrying one to five electrons in collisions with the H2 molecule in the low- to intermediate-velocity regime (0.2–12 au). The model presented by Sigaud (2008 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 41 015205) has been modified in order to calculate total electron-loss cross sections of projectiles with two or more electrons in the same subshell. The electron–electron contribution to the projectile electron loss was included within the independent particle model. The comparison of the calculated cross sections with the available experimental data shows very good agreement in almost all cases.

Electron loss from fast heavy ions: Target-scaling dependence

The target dependence for projectile electron loss is investigated using experimental data taken from the literature. Impact energies range from a few tens of eV/u to tens of MeV/u. For energies less than several MeV/u, the target dependences are shown to be very similar, independent of projectile species and charge state. Overall, however, with increasing impact energy the cross-section dependence on the target nuclear charge systematically increases. It is shown that none of the existing cross-section target scaling models reproduce these features. A model, based on Born scaling and including both the antiscreening and screening contributions to projectile electron loss, is developed. With the inclusion of relativistic effects, which increase the contribution from both channels at high energies, and ''target saturation'' effects, which reduce the contribution from the screening term for heavy targets and lower impact energies, this model describes quite reasonably all available experimental data. A simple scaling formula that reproduces the measured atomic number and impact velocity dependences is provided. This formula is applicable for projectile electron loss in collisions with either atomic or molecular targets and for impact energies ranging from a few to tens of MeV/u.

Cross sections of Oq+ (q = 1 — 4) electron loss in collisions with He, Ne and Ar**Project supported by the Special Foundation for Key Programs of Basic Research at its earlier stage, Ministry of Science and Technology, China (Grant No. 2002CCA00900) and by the Foundation for the Doctors of University of South China (GrantNo. 5-2007-XQD-001).

Electron-loss cross sections of Oq+ (q = 1 — 4) colliding with He, Ne and Ar atoms are measured in the intermediate velocity regime. The ratios of the cross sections of two-electron loss to that of one-electron loss R21 are presented. It is shown that single-channel analysis is not sufficient to explain the results, but that projectile electron loss, electron capture by the projectile and target ionization must be considered together to interpret the experimental data. The screening and antiscreening effects can account for the threshold velocity results, but cannot explain the dependence of the ratio R21 on velocity quantitatively. In general, the effective charge of the target atom increases with velocity increasing because the high-speed projectile ion can penetrate into the inner electronic shell of target atom. Ne and Ar atoms have similar effective charges in this velocity regime, but He atoms have smaller ones at the same velocities due to its smaller nuclear charge.

Absolute cross sections for projectile electron loss accompanied by target multiple ionization in collisions of He+ with noble gases

Absolute cross sections for projectile electron loss accompanied by target multiple ionization in collisions between He+ ions and noble gases have been measured for energies between 1.0 and 3.5 MeV. The data have been compared with other absolute cross sections that exist in the literature for the same projectile, and with calculations for the screening mode (nucleus–electron interaction) using both perturbative (plane-wave Born approximation (PWBA)) and non-perturbative (extended classical-impulse free-collision model, sudden approximation and coupled-channel method) approaches, and for the antiscreening mode (electron–electron interaction) within the PWBA. The energy dependence of the average number of active electrons for the antiscreening has been described by means of a simple function, which is ‘universal’ for noble gases but projectile dependent. A previously developed method has been employed to obtain the number of active electrons for each target subshell in the high-velocity regime.

Cross sections of Cq+(q=14)electron loss in collision with He, Ne and Ar investigating

Electron-loss cross sections in Cq+(q=14)collisions with He,Ne,Ar are measured in the intermediate-velocity regime, and the ratio of the two-electron-loss cross section to the one-electrom-loss cross section, R21, are calculated. It is shown that a single-channel analysis is not sufficient to explain the results, and that projectile electron loss, electron capture by the projectile, and target ionization must be considered together to interpreter the data. The screening and antiscreening theory can annalyse the threshold velocity, but cannot totally explain the data of R21 with velocity increasing. The effective charge of target increases with velocity increasing. Ne and Ar have the same effective charges in the velocity regime, but He has a smaller one at the same velocity. The correlation between loss electrons is also analyzed.