Interpretation of High-Q Scattering Experiments

A theoretical model has been developed for the calculation of the states of ionization of target atoms after impact by an energetic high charge state ion. The calculational method is based upon using the three-body classical-trajectory Monte Carlo approach combined with the independent electron model to determine the target ionization cross sections. Calculated cross sections for rare gas targets are in qualitative agreement with experimental values for incident ion charge states of q = +4 to +54 and energies in the 1 to 5 MeV/amu range. The calculations indicate that the "gross" ionization cross sections measured using the "condenser-plate" approach can be scaled to one reduced curve for each target species by plotting cross section divided by incident ion charge state versus energy per nucleon divided by incident ion charge state.