On the relaxation of a medium after excitation with single fast heavy ions

A plasma model of relaxation of a medium in heavy-ion tracks in condensed matter has been proposed. The model is based on the solution of time-dependent equations of radiative-collisional kinetics. The state of the medium, which is described in the framework of the classical model of multiple ionization of target atoms by a field of fast multiply charged ions, is used as the initial condition. The relaxation in the plasma is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. An analysis of the results of the calculations performed has made it possible to determine the range of material parameters at which the plasma model actually changes over to the atomic model and to establish the conditions where the atomic model is a very rough approximation. It is demonstrated that the plasma model adequately describes the X-ray spectra recorded upon interaction of ion beams with condensed targets. An X-ray spectral method based on the plasma model is proposed for diagnosing the plasma in fast-ion tracks. The results obtained can be useful in examining the initial stage of defect formation in solids under irradiation with single fast heavy ions