Production of CopperLX Rays in Heavy-Ion—Atom Collisions

Copper $L$ x-ray production in heavy-ion-atom collisions is discussed. Thick-target x-ray yields and cross sections for x-ray production are presented for copper in the role of both target and projectile. Collision energies were in the range 40 keV to 1.1 MeV and a wide range of collision partners was used. X-ray spectra obtained with a Bragg spectrometer are presented for several of the collision systems. The data, which show strong "level-matching" effects, are interpreted in terms of electron promotion via molecular orbitals, as discussed for asymmetric collisions by Barat and Lichten. Fluorescence yields for the multivacancy states produced in these collisions are discussed, and several solid-target effects are noted.