Electron emission from water vapor under the impact of 250-keV protons

Absolute double differential cross sections (DDCS) of low-energy electron emission from water molecule were measured upon collisions with 250-keV protons for emission angles between 30-150 degrees. The electrons having energies between 1 and 600 eV were detected by using hemispherical electrostatic analyzer. The single differential (SDCS) and total cross section (TCS) were calculated by integrating the DDCS and SDCS, respectively. The measured DDCS, SDCS, and TCS were compared with the classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) model, using a dynamical approach in which a time-dependent screening is considered. The continuum-distorted-wave eikonal-initial state (CDW-EIS) theoretical model has also been used to explain the energy and angular distribution data. The angular distribution of the DDCS are very well reproduced by the CTMC approach. The TCS calculated by the CTMC model matches better with the measured values as compared to the CDW-EIS estimation. The forward-backward angular asymmetry parameter was also estimated to test the validity of the state-of-the-art theoretical models used. Finally the recently developed CDW-EIS calculations considering a residual target dynamic charge (DC-CDW-EIS) is shown to provide an improved agreement with the experiments compared to the CDW-EIS. The present data and interpretation should provide inputs towards energy loss calculations required for the radiobiology involved in the hadron therapy of cancer.

Automated summary

In this study, absolute double differential cross sections (DDCS) of low-energy electron emission from water molecule upon collisions with 250-keV protons were measured and compared with classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) and continuum-distorted-wave eikonal-initial state (CDW-EIS) theoretical models. The CTMC model accurately reproduced the angular distribution of the DDCS, while the TCS calculated by the CTMC model matched better with the measured values compared to the CDW-EIS estimation. Furthermore, a recently developed CDW-EIS calculation method considering a residual target dynamic charge (DC-CDW-EIS) showed improved agreement with the experiments. These findings and interpretations are important for energy loss calculations in radiobiology related to hadron therapy of cancer.