The VUV spectrum from fast heavy-ion induced excitation of

Abstract

We have measured the spectrum of vacuum ultraviolet radiation (500 - 1700 Å) arising from the impact of 625 MeV xenon ions with . The spectral features are due primarily to emission from neutral and ionized carbon atoms. These photons mask sensitivity to either the giant dipole resonance or to excited dimers. We compare with data obtained in collisions of xenon ions with methane and isobutane. Decay times of several of the lines were also measured. Some of the lines persist for times long compared to the lifetimes of the corresponding states in neutral and ionized carbon.