Reduced charge state of MeV carbon cluster constituents exiting thin carbon foils

Abstract

Direct determination of average charge states have been performed with an electrostatic analysis method for carbon ions and carbon cluster $({\mathrm{C}}_{n},$ $n=3$--10) constituents exiting thin carbon foils. The velocity of the mono and polyatomic projectiles was identical, ranging from 1--4 MeV per atom. The average charge state of carbon cluster constituents is significantly reduced as compared to that of a single carbon projectile at the same velocity, the larger the size of the cluster, the smaller the charge state per cluster atom. This lowering effect decreases when the foil thickness increases.