ELECTRON EJECTION FROM SOLIDS INDUCED BY FAST HIGHLY-CHARGED IONS

Total electron-ejection yields and Auger-electron spectra for highly-c harged ions interacting with different foil targets have been investig ated in this work, New experimental and theoretical data for normal in cident 5 MeV/u heavy ions on graphite and polypropylene foils an prese nted and discussed. These two materials have been selected as model sy stems representing conductors and insulator targets. Our measured proj ectile nuclear-charge dependence of the total electron yield from carb on foils clearly deviates from results of some transport models that p redict a proportionality with respect to the electronic stopping power of the projectiles. Possible reasons for this deviation are discussed . We have also extended our measurements on cascade-induced C-KLL Auge r-electron production. The corresponding results for 5 MeV/u S ions on carbon were obtained with a new method and agree fairly well with pre vious data. Furthermore, we have performed an experimental and theoret ical investigation on the nuclear-track potential in insulators. Compa rison of experimental data with theoretical results for N7+, Ne9+, Ar1 6+ and Ni23+ ions allow for an estimate of the electron/hole pair reco mbination time at the center of the track in polypropylene.