Molecular orbital perspective for inner shell couplings: Level diagrams

Abstract

Level diagrams drawn for the Ag-Gd, Ho and Yb collision systems allow a qualitative explanation for the experimentally observed enhanced target and projectile cross sections. Super heavy quasimolecules formed during these slow, heavy-ion, heavy-atom collisions act as a beacon of light to investigate the couplings of the inner shells and the dependence of inner shell ionization on projectile charge state.