Charge exchange of hydrogen atoms in carbon foils at 0.4–120 keV

Charge exchange properties of H atoms passing through thin carbon foils at incident energies from 0.5 to 120 keV/u are discussed in the context of charge transfer models. A model is presented in which the charge state equilibrium in the solid is explained by the overlap of the atomic and the solid-state electron wave functions in k space. Outside the solid, near the surface, charge exchange occurs by tunneling of electrons between the carbon surface and the exiting projectile.