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

Niggas, A. et al. (2021) Peeling graphite layer by layer reveals the charge exchange dynamics of ions inside a solid. Communications Physics, 4(1), 180. (doi: 10.1038/s42005-021-00686-1)

Abstract

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

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: UNSPECIFIED
• Authors: Niggas, A., Creutzburg, S., Schwestka, J., Wöckinger, B., Gupta, T., Grande, P. L., Eder, D., Marques, J. P., Bayer, B. C., Aumayr, F., Bennett, R., and Wilhelm, R. A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
• Journal Name: Communications Physics
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2399-3650
• ISSN (Online): 2399-3650
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Communications Physics 4(1):180
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence