Statistical model of electron impact ionization of multielectron ions

Abstract

The statistical method for ab initio calculations of the electron impact ionization cross sections of multielectron ions and related ionization rates is developed. It is created based on an idea of collective excitations of atomic electrons alike in condensed medium. The Thomas–Fermi model density distribution of atomic electrons is assumed and their collective oscillations are described by the local plasma frequency model. Using a proposed statistical approach the calculations of the total single electron impact ionization cross sections of multielectron ions for several chosen chemical elements from argon up to uranium, taken in the various charge states, are performed and compared with available experimental and theoretical data, demonstrating a satisfactory agreement.