Energy loss by non-relativistic electrons and positrons in liquid water

Simon M. Pimblott, Laurens D A Siebbeles

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Inelastic collision cross-sections, mean free paths, stopping powers, energy loss distributions, mean energy losses and csda ranges are evaluated for non-relativistic electrons and positrons in liquid water using a formalism in which the response of the medium is expressed employing the experimental dipole oscillator strength distribution. Monte Carlo track structure simulations employing the calculated inelastic collision cross-sections, and elastic cross-sections evaluated using partial wave methods, are used to determine the energy dependence of positron and electron path-lengths, penetrations, and non-homogeneous energy deposition distributions. The calculated data are discussed, and compared and contrasted. The energy loss properties of electrons and positrons that depend only on the differential inelastic collision cross-section are similar for particle energies ≳ 1 keV, but there are apparent differences for lower energies. The energy loss properties depending on the size of the energy transfer events and on the differential inelastic collision cross-section differ for all particle energies. The differences found are the consequence of electron indistinguishability on the inelastic cross-section for the electron. Non-homogeneous energy deposition distributions of positrons with energy less than 1 keV are significantly more forward directed than those of electrons with the same initial energy. The differences are due to the larger inelastic collision cross-section of a positron compared to an electron, and its effect on the relative numbers of inelastic and elastic collisions. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)237-250
    Number of pages13
    JournalNuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, B
    Volume194
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2002

    Keywords

    • Attenuation
    • Implantation
    • Liquid water
    • Positron
    • Range

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