Inner shell ionization in the Pb-Pb quasimolecule

Abstract

Direct ionization of the 1sσ, 2sσ, 3sσ and 2 p 1 2 σ electronic states via radial coupling in the Pb-Pb quasimolecule is investigated as function of the impact parameter b. The ionization probability decreases exponentially like P(b)∼ exp(− b a ) , with a 1s σ =19 fm, a 2s σ =76 fm, a 3s σ =135 fm and a 2 p 1 2 σ =47 fm . The high-energy part of the electronic spectrum is dominated by 2sσ and 2 p 1 2 σ ionization. As total ionization cross section we find σ 1s σ =2 barn and σ 2 p 1 2 σ =59 barn for E 1ab=1210 MeV.