Electron ejection by heavy particles as precursor of track formation in condensed matter

The detailed knowledge of the structure of ion tracks is a key issue for our understanding of radiation effects in condensed matter. Important examples are the radial energy deposition profile by electronic excitation for numerical simulations of track formation (via Coulomb explosion or thermal spike) in inert matter, and calculations of the RBE (relative biological effectiveness) of heavy particles in living matter (with important applications in dosimetry and hadrontherapy). In both cases, differential electron ejection cross sections are used as input parameter. The precursor of track formation is thus electron ejection from target atoms, or from the projectile itself. These primary electrons and their subsequent secondary interactions lead to the deposition of energy along and around the ion trajectory. We first briefly discuss primary ionization (binary encounter and soft electron emission, multiple collision sequences: Fermi shuttle) common to single atoms (gas targets) and condensed matter. Then, specific effects in condensed matter (electron transport, jet-like electron spikes, wake effects due to collective excitation of plasmons and emission of shock wave electrons) will be presented. Finally, we concentrate on effects connected to the high density of deposited energy and strong perturbation induced by heavy particles such as heavy ions and clusters (reduction effects due to screening, transport and sweeping away, multiple ionization, electronic temperatures from Auger spectroscopy). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.