Energy loss in Ar16+, Kr16+, Xe16+–C60 collisions at low energy

Final charge state distributions and energy loss have been studied for frontal collisions between Ar16+, Kr16+, Xe16+ ions and C-60 molecule at the same velocity (upsilon = 0.28 a.u.). The average final charge is measured to be 10, 8, 6 for Ar16+, Kr16- and Xe16- respectively showing a large core effect in the stabilisation process of the transferred electrons from the C-60 to the projectile ions. Comparison between the measured energy losses and the values estimated for ions at equilibrium charge (q(eq) similar or equal to 1 at this velocity) passing through a carbon foil of effective thickness 1.2 Angstrom shows evidence oil pre-equilibrium energy loss enhancement. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.