Scattering of sulfur ions by carbon: Classical-trajectory Monte Carlo results

Abstract

We analyze classically the scattering of sulfur ions by carbon using the classical-trajectory Monte Carlo method. It is assumed that the scatterer and scattered nuclei are coupled to each other as well as to all electrons, but there is no coupling between electrons themselves. To initialize the state of both atoms, quasiexact energies are used that are obtained from the Dirac-Fock method. Effective charges are used to partially take into account the intra-atomic interactions between electrons. We concentrate on the cross sections for production of vacancies in the K and L shells and capture of electrons to K, L, and M shells of the sulfur ions. The dependence of these cross sections on the energy of the projectile sulfur ions and on the initial charge states of these ions is analyzed. Our results will be helpful in the interpretation of x-ray spectra from highly ionized fast sulfur projectiles passing through a carbon foil.