Integral and differential alignment of atomic inner-shell vacancies in the semiclassical approximation

Abstract

The semiclassical approximation (SCA) is used to obtain general expressions for the statistical tensors describing the polarisation state of vacancies in inner shells of atoms produced by fast proton or ion impact. The asymptotic behaviour of alignment is examined in the range of high impact parameters. The restrictions imposed on the statistical tensors by the symmetry of the experiment and by the additional symmetry introduced by the various SCA versions are discussed. The integral and differential alignment of vacancies in the L and M shells of atoms is calculated systematically allowing for the Coulomb deflection of ions by the target nucleus. The deflection is allowed for by a tangential approximation of hyperbolic trajectory. The atom is described by the Hartree-Salter self-consistent-field model. The results of the calculation are compared with the experimental and calculated data published elsewhere. The effect of the screening of nuclear charge of an ion by its electrons on the differential alignment is investigated.