Inclusive cross sections in collisions of multicharged ions with dressed targets

Abstract

The formalism of inclusive probabilities allows the computation of many-electron cross sections from single-particle amplitudes in the framework of the independent particle model. We use this formalism to calculate projectile Lyman X-ray emission cross sections in collisions between Kr34+ ions and various dressed targets. We show that target electrons play a major role in the collision dynamics and that Lyman X-ray emission cannot be interpreted as arising from pure single excitation of projectile electrons. This brings new insight into the saturation of excitation cross sections and the validity of the one-electron model for the case of many-electron targets. Our results compare very well with recent experimental data.