Inelastic Scattering of Fast Protons by He

Abstract

The collision of energetic charged particles with atoms has been an important subject for atomic physicists since E. Rutherford first performed his experiment in 1910. In this paper, the collision of a fast proton with a helium atom, with a subsequent ejection of atomic electrons, is analyzed. The theory used is an elementary one similar to that used by Rutherford, but it is still adequate to describe a certain class of proton-atom collision. The first part of this paper, Section 2, presents the theoretical development of the formulations and essential background I for the calculation of cross sections. In Section 3, the theory of inelastic collisions of fast charged particles is treated. Then these methods are applied to calculate the ionization cross section of the helium atom by fast protons, and results are compared with recent experimental data. My intention throughout this paper is to present a comprehensive picture of the subject rather than an exhaustive study of theories, most of which are beyond the scope of the paper.