Energy loss of charged particles in solids

This review article concentrates on electronic and nuclear stopping. These mechanisms dominate the energy loss of heavy particles at MeV energies and below, and light particles up to well into the MeV region. Stopping of ions is discussed in more detail than stopping of electrons and electronic stopping, rather than nuclear stopping, is emphasized. In the first part, energy loss is treated on the basis of classical mechanics, as a sequence of scattering processes between a projectile and individual electrons as well as individual nuclei. The quantum theory of stopping is then outlined. The energy loss of heavy ions and low-velocity stopping are then discussed. Some of the theoretical problems that arise in stopping measurements are then discussed. (B.R.H.)