Adiabatic effects in atomic inner-shell ionization by heavy charged particles.

Abstract

The K -shell ionization of a heavy atom by a slow light ion is studied by allowing the initial electron state to relax under the potential of the projectile. General estimates are given for monopole and dipole transitions to continuum states, and for the range of impact parameters that contribute most to the process. The correction to the electron binding is now time dependent, and it is shown that it produces a reduction of the ionization probability for small collision velocities, while at larger velocities the time dependence of the binding may enhance K -shell ionization.