Cross Sections for K- and L-Shell Excitation in Energetic Ion-Atom Collisions

Absolute K- and L-shell vacancy production cross sections have been determined from Auger-electron measurements in various heavy-ion-atom collisions. Collision systems with atomic numbers Z between 5 and 18 and with projectile energies varied between 6 and 600 keV were investigated. From cross section plots for some exemplary collision systems general trends are indicated and discussed in terms of the molecular-orbital (MO) model. Cross section ratios are deduced and compared to theoretical predictions.