proton beam discolored glass
a synchrotron accelerates "bare" hydrogen atoms (= hydrogen ions; they are stripped of their electrons, meaning they are just a single proton, simple protium, isotope H-1) up to an energy of 68 MeV (68 million electronvolts).
upon hitting the glass (microscope slides), the deposited energy (here: easily 100 Gy (gray)) breaks apart molecule bonds, leading to different absorption / reflection of light, which we perceive as colors.
there are multiple proton beams of different diameter and energy to be seen as tracks in this glass here.
the specific property of any heavy charged ion - no matter if proton, alpha particle, or large carbon ion - is to lose energy in a special way leading to the bragg peak; first, the proton loses part of its energy over a distance, just to lose the absolute maximum of energy shortly before losing all of its kinetic energy ("coming to a halt") in matter. this leads to a high dose at the proton's maximum range, with a sharp cut-off as well as rather low doses in the initial flight path.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_peak
note: the glass is highly radioactive following irradiation, as high energy protons (as well as e.g. neutrons or MeV-photons (!)) induce radioactivity by nuclear reactions in matter. nuclear transmutation is occurring, and radioisotopes with half lives of seconds to years (!) result, depending on the type of nuclides present initially. it is necessary to wait until the activity has ceased to acceptable levels before handling the material.
proton beam discolored glass
a synchrotron accelerates "bare" hydrogen atoms (= hydrogen ions; they are stripped of their electrons, meaning they are just a single proton, simple protium, isotope H-1) up to an energy of 68 MeV (68 million electronvolts).
upon hitting the glass (microscope slides), the deposited energy (here: easily 100 Gy (gray)) breaks apart molecule bonds, leading to different absorption / reflection of light, which we perceive as colors.
there are multiple proton beams of different diameter and energy to be seen as tracks in this glass here.
the specific property of any heavy charged ion - no matter if proton, alpha particle, or large carbon ion - is to lose energy in a special way leading to the bragg peak; first, the proton loses part of its energy over a distance, just to lose the absolute maximum of energy shortly before losing all of its kinetic energy ("coming to a halt") in matter. this leads to a high dose at the proton's maximum range, with a sharp cut-off as well as rather low doses in the initial flight path.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bragg_peak
note: the glass is highly radioactive following irradiation, as high energy protons (as well as e.g. neutrons or MeV-photons (!)) induce radioactivity by nuclear reactions in matter. nuclear transmutation is occurring, and radioisotopes with half lives of seconds to years (!) result, depending on the type of nuclides present initially. it is necessary to wait until the activity has ceased to acceptable levels before handling the material.