Year: 1988
Type: article
Abstract: When a charged particle interacts with liquid water it undergoes inelastic energy loss events that produce ionizations and excitations of water molecules. The electrons produced during ionization events may have enough energy themselves to produce further ionizations and excitations in slowing down to subexcitation energies. These physical interactions occur very rapidly -- within 10{sup {minus}15}s in a local region of space -- and result in the production of ionized water molecules (H{sub 2}O{sup +}), excited water molecules (H{sub 2}O*) and subexcitation electrons. During the prechemistry period to approximately 10{sup {minus}12}s chemically reactive ions and radicals are formed. Subsequently, these ions and radicals diffuse through the water and react chemically with each other or with other molecules that may be present in solution. We have developed a Monte Carlo computer code to simulate these physical and chemical processes in liquid water. 10 figs., 4 tabs.
Language: English
Topic: Atomic and Molecular Physics
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W113442289