Relativistic distorted-wave Born calculations for (e,2e) processes on inner shells of heavy atoms.

Abstract

The theory and numerical methods required for extending the distorted-wave Born approximation to the description of relativistic ([ital e],2[ital e]) processes are developed. We compare the results of our theoretical approach with the absolute experimental data available in coplanar asymmetric geometry. A significant improvement over earlier calculations is achieved. It is shown that both the shape and the absolute magnitude of the triple differential cross section are strongly influenced by elastic electron-nucleus collisions in the incident and final channels. We predict an important increase of the magnitude relative to the binary peak and changes in shape of the secondary maximum of the triple differential cross section as a function of the nuclear charge.