A Study of the Beam-foil Excitation Mechanism Using 60-360 keV Be+ Projectiles

Abstract

Beam-foil excitation functions have been measured for a number of optical transitions in Be Ia (configuration 1s2 2s nl), Be Ib (configuration 1s2 nl n'l'), Be IIa (configuration 1s2 nl), Be IIb (configuration 1s nl n'l'), and Be IIIa (configuration 1s nl) in the projectile energy range 60-360 keV. The excitation functions within one level scheme were found to be proportional. They have been converted into relative population functions and the five sets of Be population functions have been linked together by only two empirically determined parameters. Comparisons to results from earlier works, using He and Li projectiles are drawn. Relative level population measurements have been performed in Be Ia, Be Ib, Be IIa and Be IIIa, the results are compared with earlier findings, and systematical trends are found. General conclusions about the beam-foil excitation mechanism are drawn.