Equilibrium Charge Distributions of C, N, Ar, and Fe in Carbon

Abstract

The equilibrium charge distributions have been measured for carbon and argon in the energy range from 370 to 1450 keV, for iron in the energy range from 190 to 1450 keV, and for nitrogen from 180 to 1450 keV. Equilibrium was established by passing accelerated ions through 10 μg/${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ carbon foils. The ions of different charge were separated electrostatically and detected with a CsI(T1) scintillator. Additional measurements were made to ensure that equilibrium had been achieved and that the effect of the residual gas was small. The values of the charge fractions are thought to be correct to within ±5% and agree well with the limited available data.