An improved method for measuring relative stopping powers of light ions in solids

An improved method is presented for measuring relative stopping powers of light ions in solids by means of Rutherford backscattering. Special care has been taken to obtain low-background spectra, and a procedure (to measure a given sequence of targets again and again) has been used to avoid uncertainties in beam normalization. The target composition can be investigated in situ. Measured stopping-power ratios between copper and silver for 200-2000 keV hydrogen and helium agree with semiempirical tabulations. Results for lanthanum stopping powers are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the method to highly reactive materials. (Auth.)