Quantum evolution of atomic states during transmission through solids

A quantum description of the evolution of atomic states of fast projectiles traveling through matter is presented, Our approach is based on the soluti on of a quantum Langevin equation, i.e., a time-dependent Schrodinger equat ion which describes electronic excitations of atoms or ions under the influ ence of the dynamically screened deterministic potential of the projectile and a stochastic force simulating the dissipative interaction with the soli d. We present applications to the stripping of relativistic H- and the popu lation dynamics of electronic substates of 13.6 MeV/u Ar17+ ions by transmi ssion through carbon foils. We analyze the correspondence between classical and quantum transport simulations and we show that the stochastic nature o f the interaction destroys most quantum effects. (C) 2000 Published by Else vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.