We have investigated the electron emission by the RNA uracil base (C4H4N2O2) due to collisions with protons in the 25 keV–100 keV energy range. Electron spectroscopy was performed at 35° with respect to the beam direction and absolute values for the double-differential cross section were obtained. Our results show preferential emission of low-energy electrons that are responsible for damage in biological material through dissociative electron attachment [Boudaïffa et al., Science 287, 1658 (2000)]. Experimental results are compared to calculations that used the classical trajectory Monte Carlo method, and a reasonable agreement is obtained.
doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.74.062705
Voir en ligne : Phys.Rev.A 74, 062705 (2006) et Virtual Journal of Biological Physics Research 12 (2006)