Electron impact inner-shell atomic ionization cross-section measurement

• Grant number: 10/03159-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): August 01, 2010
• Effective date (End): July 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Principal researcher: Vito Roberto Vanin
• Grantee: Viktor Jahnke
• Home Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The electron impact inner-shell atomic ionization cross section in high-Z atoms will be measured in the Microtron 1.8 MeV electron beam line, already being installed, using a semiconductor X-ray detector. In the 2 MeV energy region, experimental data for heavy atoms are scarce, despite the relevance of this process in the electron transport through the production of secondary electrons in the high-energy end of the spectrum and photons. The essentials of the process can be explained with Feynman diagrams, but a detailed description requires a proper atomic model and Dirac´s equation for the electron propagation.