Stopping of energetic light ions in elemental matter

The formalism for calculating the stopping of energetic light ions (H, He, and Li) at energies above 1 MeV/u, has advanced to the point that stopping powers may now be calculated with an accuracy of a few percent for all elemental materials. Although the subject has been of interest for a century, only recently have the final required corrections been understood and evaluated. The theory of energetic ion stopping is reviewed with emphasis on those aspects that pertain to the calculation of accurate stopping powers.