Peeling graphite layer by layer reveals the charge exchange dynamics of ions inside a solid

Abstract Over seventy years ago, Niels Bohr described how the charge state of an atomic ion moving through a solid changes dynamically as result electron capture and loss processes, eventually resulting in equilibrium state. Although obvious, this process has so far eluded direct experimental observation. By peeling solid, such graphite, layer by layer, studying transmission highly charged ions single-, bi- trilayer graphene, we can now observe dynamical states with monolayer precision. In addition present first-principles approach based on virtual photon model for interparticle energy transfer to corroborate our findings. Our that uses Gaussian shaped dynamic polarisability rather than spatial delta function is major step providing self-consistent description de-excitation processes at limit small separations.