Theoretical and experimental aspects of the energy loss of relativistic heavily ionizing particles

We review the theory of the electromagnetic interactions between rapidly moving charged particles and the matter through which they pass. The emphasis will be on very massive electric (-100≤Z₁100) and magnetic (|g|=137e and 137e/2) particles moving with relativistic velocities (β>0.2, γ<100). Consideration will be given to both the stopping power of the projectile and to the response of the absorbing medium to the excitation caused by the projectile.