REFRACTION OF THE BEAM OF CHARGED-PARTICLES DURING INCLINED TRANSMISSION THROUGH A THIN TARGET

The value of the most probable exit angle of particles theta(mp) trans mitted through thin targets at inclined incidence of the beam is inves tigated both analytically and experimentally. A simple formula for the ta(mp) is derived as a function of ion energy, beam and target paramet ers. It is shown that the value of the most probable exit angle for fi xed energy of projectiles can be both greater and lesser than the angl e of incidence. For particles with high energy, it is shown that the m agnitude of such a ''refraction'' depends on target thickness deviatio n, the atomic number of the target and is more pronounced for targets with large atomic numbers Z. The measurements of 10 keV protons transm ission through thin carbon foil fitted the theoretical predictions wel l. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.