Reduced charge state of MeV carbon cluster constituents exiting thin carbon foils

Direct determination of average charge states have been performed with an e lectrostatic analysis method fur carbon ions and carbon cluster(C-n n = 3-1 0) constituents exiting thin carbon foils. The: velocity of the mono and po lyatomic projectiles was identical, ranging from 1-4 MeV per atom. The aver age charge start: of carbon cluster constituents is significantly reduced a s compared to that of a single carbon projectile at the same velocity, the larger the size of the cluster, the smaller the charge state per cluster at om. This lowering effect decreases when the foil thickness increases. [S105 0-2947(99)08606-0].