Resonant electron transfer and L-shell excitation for41Nb31+and57La40+ions

Abstract

Observations of resonant electron transfer and L-shell excitation (RTE) using coincidence techniques are reported for ₄₁Nb³¹⁺ and ₅₇La⁴⁰⁺ ions colliding with H₂. The measured RTE cross sections are about ten times larger than those previously found for RTE involving the K shell and constitute as much as half of the total L alpha beta X-ray production. Overall agreement with theory is reasonable but discrepancies similar to those previously reported for K-shell RTE exist. The results demonstrate the importance of electron correlation in the production of L vacancies for projectile energies where RTE is possible.