SRIM

SRIM, which stands for Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter, is a widely used computer program for calculating the electronic and nuclear losses of ions when they pass through matter. Developed by James F. Ziegler, SRIM has become a standard tool in various fields, including materials science, nuclear physics, and ion implantation technology. The program's core function is to simulate the complex interactions between energetic ions and the atoms of a target material. It predicts how an ion's energy will be deposited and how far it will travel, or its range, before stopping.

The SRIM code considers two primary mechanisms for energy loss: electronic stopping and nuclear stopping. Electronic stopping occurs when the ion interacts with the electrons of the target atoms, leading to excitation and ionization. Nuclear stopping, on the other hand, involves direct collisions between the ion and the nuclei of the target atoms, resulting in atomic displacements and recoil. SRIM calculates these contributions as a function of the ion's energy and the properties of the target material, such as its atomic composition and density.

The program's output includes detailed information about the ion's path, including the depth distribution of deposited energy, the number of vacancies created, and the projected range. This data is crucial for understanding and controlling processes like ion implantation, where ions are embedded into a material to alter its properties. SRIM's accuracy and ease of use have made it an indispensable resource for researchers and engineers working with ion-solid interactions. It has been continuously updated and improved since its initial release, incorporating new physical models and expanding its database of elemental properties.