# Relativistic calculations of differential ionization cross sections: Application to antiproton-hydrogen collisions

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a relativistic approach based on the Dirac equation to accurately compute differential ionization cross sections in ion-atom collisions, with applications to hydrogen and xenon ions, resolving previous theoretical discrepancies.

## Contribution

A novel relativistic method using the Dirac equation for calculating detailed ionization cross sections in ion-atom collisions is developed and applied to hydrogen and xenon.

## Key findings

- The method provides detailed differential cross sections for hydrogen ionization by antiprotons.
- It resolves discrepancies in previous theoretical predictions.
- Relativistic effects are significant in xenon ionization by carbon nuclei.

## Abstract

A new relativistic method based on the Dirac equation for calculating fully differential cross sections for ionization in ion-atom collisions is developed. The method is applied to ionization of the atomic hydrogen by antiproton impact, as a non-relativistic benchmark. The fully differential, as well as various doubly and singly differential cross sections for ionization are presented. The role of the interaction between the projectile and the target nucleus is discussed. Several discrepancies in available theoretical predictions are resolved. The relativistic effects are studied for ionization of hydrogenlike xenon ion under the impact of carbon nuclei.