Electron polarization in the resonant inelastic scattering on hydrogen-like ions

TL;DR

This study explores how resonant inelastic scattering on hydrogen-like ions influences electron beam polarization, revealing interference effects and the role of autoionizing states in polarization mechanisms.

Contribution

It uncovers the impact of resonant channels and autoionizing states on electron polarization, highlighting interference effects in hydrogen-like ions.

Findings

Resonant scattering enhances electron polarization even in light ions.

Energy dependence shows strong interference between autoionizing states.

Both resonant and non-resonant channels contribute to polarization changes.

Abstract

We investigate the polarization of the electron beam acquired during the inelastic resonant scattering on hydrogen-like ions initially being in the ground state. The formation and subsequent Auger decay of the intermediate (3l3l') doubly excited states in the resonant channel modify the mechanism of polarization change by enhancing both spin-orbit and exchange interactions. Consequently, in the presence of the resonant channel, the acquired polarization can be clearly observed even for light ions when it is challenging to discern which state of the ion was excited in the process. We also show that the energy dependence of the polarization parameter clearly demonstrates strong interference both between the contributions of specific autoionizing states in the resonant channel and between the non-resonant and resonant channels.