Modified Bethe formula for low-energy electron stopping power without fitting parameters.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Materials Science
• Computational Science

Background:

• Accurate calculation of electron stopping power is crucial for understanding radiation interactions in materials.
• Existing models often require fitting parameters, limiting their universal applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a modified Bethe formula for low-energy electron stopping power that eliminates the need for fitting parameters.
• To validate the formula's accuracy across a broad spectrum of elements and compounds.

Main Methods:

• Developed a modified Bethe formula based on theoretical principles.
• Compared predicted stopping powers with experimental data for 15 elements and 6 compounds.
• Validated results against calculations from dielectric theory, including exchange effects.
• Applied the derived stopping power in Monte Carlo simulations for hydrogen silsesquioxane.

Main Results:

• The modified Bethe formula shows reasonable agreement with experimental stopping power data.
• The formula's predictions are consistent with advanced dielectric theory calculations.
• Monte Carlo simulations using the new formula accurately reproduced experimental energy deposition distributions for hydrogen silsesquioxane.

Conclusions:

• The proposed parameter-free Bethe formula offers a generalized and accurate method for determining low-energy electron stopping power.
• This approach enhances the reliability of simulations involving radiation-matter interactions.