Multielectron Processes in Heavy Ion–Atom Collisions at Intermediate Velocity

Using high resolution x-ray spectroscopy, we have measured projectile electron single and multiple cross sections when a two-electron Ar{sup 16+} ion collides with neutral target atoms. For a fixed impact velocity (v{sub p}=23 a.u. ) , but using various targets from He to Xe, a range from the perturbative regime to the strong interaction regime has been investigated. Double excitation cross sections are found to be well reproduced by an independent electron model. First measurements of capture-ionization cross sections are also reported and show the importance of this often-neglected process. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}