On the dynamics of transfer-ionization in fast ion-atomic collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates the mechanisms of transfer-ionization in fast ion-helium collisions, distinguishing between correlated and uncorrelated processes through electron momentum spectra analysis, providing insights into the underlying dynamics.

Contribution

It identifies and separates correlated and uncorrelated transfer-ionization mechanisms using momentum spectra, enhancing understanding of the process's dynamics.

Findings

Correlated and uncorrelated mechanisms can be distinguished via electron momentum spectra.

Momentum spectra analysis reveals subtle details of transfer-ionization dynamics.

Different projectile types influence the dominant mechanisms.

Abstract

We consider trasfer-ionization in collisions of fast (3.6 -- 11 MeV/u) protons, alpha-particles and lithium nuclei with helium atoms. There are just a few basic mechanisms contributing to this process which can be grouped into correlated ones, which crucially depend on the electron-electron interaction, and uncorrelated, which do not need this interaction to proceed. We show that by exploring momentum spectra of the emitted electrons the correlated and uncorrelated mechanisms can be cleary separated from each other. This exploration also enables one to get insight into subtle details of the dynamics of transfer-ionization.