In nuclear and atomic experiments at high incident ion energies, 20 MeV/u < E < 100 MeV/u, the impact of swift
heavy ions on thin solid targets is a source of fast electrons. The knowledge of their spatial and kinematical distributions
is very useful for experimental nuclear and radiobiological applications as well as testing atomic ionization theories. An
overview on the main mechanisms underlying the production of the electrons is given. Some recent results obtained at
the Catania LNS superconducting cyclotron, mainly with a 45 MeV/u 58Ni19+ beam are shown. In particular, the production
and the properties of binary encounter-, convoy-, in-flight Auger- and backward emitted electrons are
discussed. |
