Dielectronic recombination from the ground state of heliumlike carbon ions

Mixed-State Ionic Beams: An Effective Tool for Collision Dynamics Investigations

The use of mixed-state ionic beams in collision dynamics investigations is examined. Using high resolution Auger projectile spectroscopy involving He-like ( 1 s 2 1 S , 1 s 2 s 3 , 1 S ) mixed-state beams, the spectrum contributions of the 1 s 2 s 3 S metastable beam component is effectively separated and clearly identified. This is performed with a technique that exploits two independent spectrum measurements under the same collision conditions, but with ions having quite different metastable fractions, judiciously selected by varying the ion beam charge-stripping conditions. Details of the technique are presented together with characteristic examples. In collisions of 4 MeV B 3 + with H 2 targets, the Auger electron spectrum of the separated 1 s 2 s 3 S boron beam component allows for a detailed analysis of the formation of the 1 s 2 s ( 3 S ) n l 2 L states by direct n l transfer. In addition, the production of hollow 2 s 2 p 1 , 3 P doubly- and 2 s 2 p 2 2 D triply-excited states, by direct excitation and transfer-excitation processes, respectively, can also be independently studied. In similar mixed-state beam collisions of 15 MeV C 4 + with H 2 , He, Ne and Ar targets, the contributions of the 1 s 2 , 1 s 2 s 3 , 1 S beam components to the formation of the 2 s 2 p 3 , 1 P states by double-excitation, 1 s → 2 p excitation and transfer-loss processes can be clearly identified, facilitating comparisons with theoretical calculations.

Observation of trielectronic recombination in Be-like Cl ions

Recombination involving the core excitation of two electrons, which may be termed trielectronic recombination, has been experimentally identified for the first time. Using Cl13+ ions circulating in the TSR heavy-ion storage ring, we have observed surprisingly strong low-energy trielectronic recombination resonances, comparable to the dielectronic process. At higher electron-ion collision energies, trielectronic recombination is suppressed due to the autoionization of the triply excited intermediate state into excited final states. The formation of the intermediate state depends sensitively on configuration mixing, making trielectronic recombination a challenge to atomic-structure calculations.