Observation of theKLLDielectronic Recombination Process in Highly Stripped Argon Ions

A novel technique for studying the dielectronic recombination process is presented. The interaction of very highly stripped trapped ions with a tunable energy electron beam is studied using an electron-beam ion source. Dielectric recombination resonances have been observed in ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{12+,13+,14+,15+}$ for single configurations ($\mathrm{KLL}$ resonances). The generality of this method which makes possible the selective study of electron-ion interactions of plasma diagnostic interest is discussed.