Minimum Ionizing Particle
In physics, a minimum ionizing particle (or mip) is a particle whose mean energy loss rate through matter is close to the minimum.
When a fast charged particle passes through matter, it ionizes or excites the atoms or molecules that it encounters, losing energy in small steps. The mean rate at which it loses energy depends on the material, the kind of particle and also its momentum. In practical cases, most relativistic particles (e.g., cosmic-ray muons) are minimum ionizing particles.
Read more about this topic: Stopping Power (particle Radiation)
Famous quotes containing the words minimum and/or particle:
“After decades of unappreciated drudgery, American women just don’t do housework any more—that is, beyond the minimum that is required in order to clear a path from the bedroom to the front door so they can get off to work in the mourning.”
—Barbara Ehrenreich (20th century)
“Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone. Love is God, and to die means that I, a particle of love, shall return to the general and eternal source.”
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910)