Single- and multiple-electron loss cross-sections for fast heavy ions colliding with neutrals: Semi-classical calculations

Extensive calculations of single, multiple and total electron-loss cross-sections of fast heavy ions in collisions with neutral atoms are performed in the semi-classical approximation using the DEPOSIT code based on the energy deposition model and statistical distributions for ionization probabilities. The results are presented for Ar(1+), Ar(2+), Kr(7+), Xe(3+), Xe(18+), Pb(25+) and U(q+) (q = 10, 28, 39, 62) ions colliding with H, N, Ne, At, Kr, Xe and U atoms at energies E > 1 MeV/u and compared with available experimental data and the n-particle classical-trajectory Monte Carlo (nCTMC) calculations. The results show that the present semi-classical model can be applied for estimation of multiple and total electron-loss cross-sections within accuracies of a factor of 2. From calculated data for the total electron-loss cross-sections sigma(tot), their dependencies on relative velocity nu, the first ionization potential I(1) of the projectile and the target atomic number Z(A) are found and a semi-empirical formula for sigma(tot) is suggested. The velocity range, where the semi-classical approximation can be used, is discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved