Charge states of relativistic heavy ions in matter

Experimental and theoretical results on charge-exchange cross-sections and charge-state distributions of relativistic heavy ions penetrating through matter are presented. The data were taken at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory's BEVALAC accelerator and at the heavy-ion synchrotron SIS of GSI in Darmstadt in the energy range 80-1000 MeV/u. Beams from Xe to U impinging on solid and gaseous targets between Be and U were used. Theoretical models for the charge-state evolution inside matter for a given initial charge state are presented. For this purpose, computer codes have been developed, which are briefly described. Examples are given which show the successes and limitations of the models. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.