Energy loss straggling in different polymeric foils for α-particles

Abstract The energy loss straggling in PEN (C 7 H 5 O 2) , PC (C 16 H 14 O 3 ) and LR-115 (C 6 H 9 O 9 N 2 ) polymeric foils, for 5.486 MeV α-particles, has been measured and compared with the corresponding computed values based on the most commonly used theoretical formulations viz. Bohr, Lindhard & Scharff and Bethe–Livingston. The aim of the present study is to test the applicability of these theoretical formulations. The behavior of these formulations with the measured values has been analyzed. Finally, Bethe–Livingston formulation has been modified to make it appropriate for thicker targets.