Theoretical calculation of electronic stopping power of water vapor by proton impact.

ABSTRACT

The energy loss of proton beams in water vapor is analyzed with a full quantum-mechanical treatment, the distorted-wave model. This model takes into account distortion effects due to the long-range Coulomb potential. Projectile energies from 10 keV up to 1 MeV are considered. Mean stopping power and equilibrium charge-state fractions are calculated and compared with experimental data. The validity of Bragg's additivity rule is investigated.