The fractional energy loss of charged particle per radiation length

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CzTee96
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The figure usually has a caption that goes like this: "Fractional energy loss per radiation length as a function of electron or positron energy in lead," but I do not fathom is at (1/E)dE/dx =1, it seems like the particle is losing all of its energy at ~7MeV by ionisation. Therefore, I would not expect the other contributions will happen. However, the diagram seems to suggest that even at very low energy we still have losses through other processes and most bizarrely the "fractional loss" through ionisation even went greater than 1 at very low energy. For example, it seems like at 5MeV we have the "fractional energy loss per radiation length" is 1.2E! What does this even mean? Is it trying to say that the ionisation is "relatively higher" than the other processes, and the fraction of all the processes is not normalised to 1?
Also, I would expect at such a low energy the electron will lose all its energy via ionisation, but why there is still a contribution from the Bremsstrahlung at 1MeV, which is around 0.6?Source: https://cds.cern.ch/record/2315747/
 
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  • #2
Look at the units. It's per radiation length - if one loses 6% of the energy in 0.05X0, where is that on your plot?
 
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What is the fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length?

The fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length is a measure of how much energy a charged particle loses as it travels through a material. It is typically denoted by the symbol dE/dx and is expressed as the ratio of the energy lost by the particle to its initial energy, divided by the radiation length of the material.

How is the fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length calculated?

The fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length is calculated using the Bethe-Bloch formula, which takes into account factors such as the charge of the particle, its velocity, the density of the material, and the atomic number of the material. The formula provides an estimate of the energy loss per unit path length.

What is the significance of the fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length?

The fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length is important in understanding how charged particles interact with matter. It helps scientists predict the behavior of particles in detectors and accelerators, as well as in medical applications such as radiation therapy.

How does the fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length vary with different materials?

The fractional energy loss of a charged particle per radiation length varies with different materials due to differences in their density, atomic number, and other properties. Heavier materials with higher atomic numbers tend to cause more energy loss in charged particles compared to lighter materials.

What are some real-world applications of the fractional energy loss of charged particles per radiation length?

Some real-world applications of the fractional energy loss of charged particles per radiation length include radiation therapy for cancer treatment, particle physics experiments, and the design of detectors for high-energy physics research. Understanding how charged particles interact with matter is crucial for these applications to be successful.

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