Electron excitations by slow ions in metals

Abstract The energy and angular distribution of electrons excited by slow charged particles penetrating an electron gas, is analyzed using a representation of the particle by a general self-consistent potential. The number of excited electrons per unit path-length is also calculated. Oscillations with the nuclear charge of the ion, Z , are obtained for the spectra of electron excitations and the total excitation rate. These Z oscillations have the same origin as those found, both theoretically and experimentally, for the stopping power of low-velocity ions. The connection of electron excitation spectra with ion slowing down and with experiments on secondary electron emission is discussed.