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Energy loss of heavy ions in dense plasma. I. Linear and nonlinear Vlasov theory for the stopping power

Journal Article · · Physical Review, A; (USA)
;  [1]
  1. Max-Planck-Institut fuer Quantenoptik, D-8046 Garching, Federal Republic of Germany (DE)
The plasma physics of heavy-ion stopping in fully ionized matter is developed on the basis of the Vlasov-Poisson equations with particular emphasis on small ion velocities {ital v}{sub {ital p}}, below the electron thermal velocity {ital v}{sub th}, and on solutions nonlinear in the coupling parameter {ital scrZ}={ital Z}{sub eff}/({ital n}{sub 0}{lambda}{sub {ital D}}{sup 3}) between the heavy-ion projectile with effective charge {ital Z}{sub eff} and the plasma with electron density {ital n}{sub 0} and Debye length {lambda}{sub {ital D}}. Concerning the stopping power in the low-velocity regime relevant for the Bragg peak at the end of the ion range, results on the friction term {ital dE}/{ital dx}{proportional to}{ital v}{sub {ital p}} are presented, and an improved {ital dE}/{ital dx} formula for plasma is derived in closed form and readily applicable for stopping-power calculations; it is identical to the standard result for {ital v}{sub {ital p}}{gt}{ital v}{sub th}, but also describes the limit {ital v}{sub {ital p}}{r arrow}0 correctly.
OSTI ID:
5752352
Journal Information:
Physical Review, A; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review, A; (USA) Vol. 43:4; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English