An estimate of direct Coulomb K-shell vacancy production in heavy ion-atom collisions

Abstract

Under conditions in which direct radial or rotational coupling mechanisms are not expected to contribute and for collision velocities for which the MO model is expected to apply, it is proposed that experimental data concerning K-vacancy production in heavy ion-atom collisions can be described in terms of direct Coulomb excitation. Agreement between experimental ionization cross sections and the predictions of the BEA universal curve is demonstrated, with transient molecular effects allowed for by a simple binding-energy modification. This binding-energy-modified BEA is also used as a basis of an explanation of the observed enhancement of K-vacancy production at or near level matching.