Energy deposition in O+ by high-energy electron beams

A discrete, time-dependent energy-deposition model is used to study high-energy electron-beam (100 eV–10 MeV) deposition in O+. Both time-dependent and steady-state secondary electron distributions are computed. The distribution functions, production efficiencies, loss function, and mean energies per electron-ion pair (W) are presented for a wide range of energies. The model predicts W to be approximately 72 eV for O+ over a wide range of beam energies when inner-shell ionization is neglected. The results change when inner-shell ionization, followed by the accompanying emission of an Auger electron, is included. The model also includes inner-shell excitation to high Rydberg states. Changes resulting from these processes are noted and discussed.