Electron‐Impact Ionization of Be‐like C iii , N iv , and O v

Abstract

We present recent measurements of absolute electron-impact ionization cross sections for Be-like C III, N IV, and O v forming Li-like C IV, N V., and O VI. The measurements were taken using the crossed-beams apparatus at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A gas cell beam attenuation method was used to independently measure the metastable fractions present in the ion beams. The measured ionization cross sections were compared with calculations using the R-matrix with pseudostates and distorted-wave theoretical methods. Best agreement is found with the R-matrix with pseudo-states cross sections results that account for the metastable fractions inferred from the gas attenuation measurements. We present a set of recommended rate coefficients for electron-impact single ionization from the ground state and metastable term of each ion. © 2008. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.