The Energy Loss of Electrons Passing through Matter

Abstract

A discussion of the results of a study of the stopping properties for moderately energetic (≤ 1.0-Mev) electrons is given, with special emphasis placed on the distribution in energy loss for a finite thickness of stopping material. Several theoretical expressions (Bethe-Bloch-Williams, Landau, Blunck-Leisegang) are compared with the data on the value of the most probable loss. A correction for polarization effects (e.g., in Be) can be made if the dependency of the mean excitation potential on velocity is known. The stopping properties of some materials used as, e.g., counter windows, have also been determined.