Interaction of highly charged ions with insulator surfaces at low velocities: Estimates for Auger rates

Abstract

The interaction of highly charged ions (HCIs) with matter at low velocities continues to pose a considerable challenge to theory. After a brief overview over the scenario of neutralization and relaxation, we focus on one particularly difficult problem: reliable estimates for two-electron transition rates for highly charged ions interacting with insulator surfaces. Three different processes are considered: intra-atomic Auger, Auger capture and Auger deexcitation. They represent input for simulations of neutralization of HCIs near surfaces. Simple universal estimates as functions of the distance to the surface, as well as initial and final state populations are presented which are believed to provide reasonable order of magnitude estimates.