Energy loss straggling of 5.486 MeV alpha particles in Melinex, Al, Ni and Cu.

Energy loss straggling of 5.486 MeV alpha particles passing through Melinex, Al, Ni and Cu has been studied as a function of energy loss. The reduction in straggling towards the end of the particle range is predicted by considering the reduction of the stopping power and of the effective charge in the capture and loss of electrons at lower energies. These measurements are compared with theoretical predictions of Bohr (1915) and Titeica (1939). The measured values agreed with Titeica results at high and intermediate energy region, and large discrepancies at low energy region are found. Titeica results are greater than Bohr results by a factor of about 1.5-2.