Characteristics of the plasma from A 94 kms micro-particle impact

The energies of the positive ions produced by the impact of a 70 nm boron carbide particle on a silver-doped aluminium target at a velocity of 94 kms⁻¹ have been derived for each ion species observed in the resulting time-of-flight mass spectrum. The results allow major conclusions to be drawn about the plasma energetics, and more tentative conclusions about the energy partitioning in the event.