Role of alloying and defects in light ion energy dissipation in iron

The interaction of energetic ions with materials is a fundamental process that occurs in fusion reactors, impacting radiation damage, heat deposition, and overall material performance. While previous work has significantly advanced our understanding of electronic stopping in metals, the impact of alloying and irradiation-induced defects remains underexplored, despite their importance for materials in extreme environments. In this work, we combine ab initio simulations with measurements to study electronic stopping in both pristine and defect-containing Fe and EUROFER97. By systematically assessing the influence of alloying and defects, we examine the extent to which structural modifications alter energy dissipation. Our findings contribute to a more rigorous understanding of electronic stopping in fusion-relevant materials and the reliability of simplified approaches in radiation damage simulations.