Stopping-Power and Range Tables
for Electrons, Protons, and Helium Ions
M.J. Berger, J.S. Coursey, M.A. Zucker and J. Chang
NIST, Physical Measurement Laboratory
See subject and resource data. I’m basically looking for clothing material, but the choice could influence the final design. I’m not quite sure yet of the dangers awaiting me (but that might depend on the suit).
FTR, the Superhero is me.
NO CAPES!
Shouldn’t you be more worried about bullets, RPGs, Death Rays ‘n’ stuff?
Yeah, really.
Well, the electrons, protons and alpha particles (aka helium nuclei) could count as “Death Rays” – but that would of course depend on how fast they were going. Alpha particles are relatively easy to shield, but with the likes of electrons you have the issue of triggering secondary x-ray emissions from impacts at high velocities on dense matter. Neutrons are a whole lot more work to stop.
But practical supervillains know a particle-beam weapon is a PITA to build, install and use. Sharks with lasers tied to their heads look like a bargain value proposition compared to it.
Just a quibble: how much of this depends on the suit-wearer’s own capabilities? I mean, are you designing a suit for an “average human,” or more like “a human who can bench press 1100 lbs, and doesn’t need to breathe”?