X-ray study of the deep inelastic reactions 1,160-MeV136Xe+Pb and136Xe+232Th

Abstract

The spectra ofK x-rays emitted by the target-like reaction products in the deep inelastic collisions 1,160-MeV136Xe+Pb and136Xe+232Th were investigated. Target-like x-ray emission probabilities per projectile-like and per target-like product were determined and compared with theoretical predictions of atomic vacancy production in the higher-Z particle (1s }-vacancy production). It is shown that a large fraction of the x-rays is produced by internal conversion ofγ-rays in the higher-Z reaction product. Measurement of target-like x-rays in coincidence with projectile-like and with target-like reaction products allowed the determination of the average survival probability against fission and of theZ-distribution of the highly excited target-like nuclei as a function of theQ value (total kinetic energy loss). The observed average survival probabilities agree qualitatively with theoretical predictions of Wilcke et al. Nuclearreaction-time effects on the 1s σ-vacancy production in these collisions could not be demonstrated with any certainty.