Theory of Electron Penetration

Abstract

The theory of electron penetration in an infinite medium under the combined influence of scattering and slowing down is developed to the point of numerical application. Sample calculations of energy dissipation versus distance from the source are compared with experiments by Frantz, by Clark, Brar, and Marinelli, and by Loevinger. The agreement is good provided that relativistic scattering cross sections are used. The energy loss is treated in the continuous slowing down approximation; the resulting error is appreciable only at extreme penetrations.