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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Zhou, Runfeng, Artacho, Emilio
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.27236
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author Zhou, Runfeng
Artacho, Emilio
author_facet Zhou, Runfeng
Artacho, Emilio
contents Non-equilibrium energy dissipation in multi-shell swift-ion/matter systems remains a fundamental yet incompletely understood problem, with electronic stopping power $\mathcal{S}_\text{e}$ as a relevant observable for electronic friction. Using real-time time-dependent density functional theory, we perform first-principles calculations of $\mathcal{S}_\text{e}$ for beryllium self-irradiation with explicit treatment of all electrons. Our results reveal a Bragg peak exhibiting a distinct structure which lies beyond the reach of standard semi-empirical models. We attribute its appearance to a dual effect of the presence of core electrons, by which their excitation provides an additional dissipation channel while simultaneously suppressing valence electron excitations. An electron capture process by the projectile's core from the host cores is behind such suppression, rather than Pauli blocking. This dual mechanism contrasts with the shake-up effect reported for water, whereby the inclusion of core electrons enhances valence excitation. Our work provides a new perspective on the effect and importance of core electrons in projectile energy dissipation in matter.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_27236
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Dual role of core electrons in electronic friction
Zhou, Runfeng
Artacho, Emilio
Materials Science
Non-equilibrium energy dissipation in multi-shell swift-ion/matter systems remains a fundamental yet incompletely understood problem, with electronic stopping power $\mathcal{S}_\text{e}$ as a relevant observable for electronic friction. Using real-time time-dependent density functional theory, we perform first-principles calculations of $\mathcal{S}_\text{e}$ for beryllium self-irradiation with explicit treatment of all electrons. Our results reveal a Bragg peak exhibiting a distinct structure which lies beyond the reach of standard semi-empirical models. We attribute its appearance to a dual effect of the presence of core electrons, by which their excitation provides an additional dissipation channel while simultaneously suppressing valence electron excitations. An electron capture process by the projectile's core from the host cores is behind such suppression, rather than Pauli blocking. This dual mechanism contrasts with the shake-up effect reported for water, whereby the inclusion of core electrons enhances valence excitation. Our work provides a new perspective on the effect and importance of core electrons in projectile energy dissipation in matter.
title Dual role of core electrons in electronic friction
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.27236