THE TRACK STRUCTURE IN CONDENSED MATTER

The physical stage of track formation in a condensed phase is discusse d. For interaction of charged particles with condensed molecular media its most important specific features are: (a) the continuous oscillat or strength distribution with the broad peak in the energy range 21-22 eV attributed to the collective plasmon-type state; (b) the lowering of ionization potential compared to a gas phase. These specific featur es must be taken into account for simulation of track structures. The great difference in mass and charge for a electron and heavy ions caus e a qualitative difference in their track structures. We analyse the s tructure of heavy ion tracks and prove the impossibility to use the LE T as a universal characteristic for the radiation action of different ions.