The influence of molecular binding on the stopping power of alpha particles in hydrocarbons

Abstract

Stopping powers of 239Pu alpha particles in hydrocarbon compounds in the gaseous and solid state are measured with the object of determining the relative effects due to the chemical structure and the physical state of the compound. Differences observed are attributed entirely to charge exchange effects. Previously published results, which claimed to demonstrate a small molecular binding contribution to the stopping power, are shown to be invalid on the basis of a full statistical analysis.