Polarization of photons emitted in radiative electron capture by bare high-Zions

Abstract

The linear and circular polarization of photons emitted in radiative electron capture (or, equivalently, radiative recombination in the electron's rest frame) by bare relativistic high-$Z$ projectiles is calculated. In this paper we illustrate for specific examples and a limited systematics the range of phenomena and the physical insight that can be gained by measuring the polarization of photons emitted in radiative electron capture into bare ions. In particular, we investigate the dependence of the polarization in the reaction plane on the charge and the energy of the projectile. In specific examples, we also consider the contribution of spin-flip processes and the polarization off the reaction plane.