Yield of2pσmolecular-orbital x rays in heavy-ion collisions

Abstract
This paper examines the spectral yield of molecular-orbital (MO) x rays observed in asymmetric 470-MeV Xe collisions. According to a proposal by Heinig et al., x-ray transitions to 2pσ vacancies occurring during the collision give an intense continuum spectrum which falls off rapidly above the K x ray lines emitted by the heavier collision partner. Dynamical calculations of the 2pσ MO x-ray thick-target yield indeed agree within a factor of 3 with the observed intensity. The velocity and impact-parameter dependence of 2pσ MO x-ray production are discussed.