Auger spectroscopy of quasimolecules

The ionization occurring in atomic collisions at keV energies, and due to Auger transitions in the quasimolecule produced in the collision, is investigated. The Auger transitions in quasimolecules is studied for the first time by recording electrons by coincidences with ions scattered into a prescribed angle. In this way it is possible to choose collisions with a fixed impact parameter. The energy spectra of electrons produced in the decay of autoionizing states of quasimolecules in collisions between the ions and oxygen, neon, or krypton atoms are investigated in the 5--50 keV range and for impact parameters between 0.1 and 1. Quantitative spectroscopy of quasimolecules is attained in the investigations, and experimental data are obtained regarding the energies and widths of the quasimolecular levels. It is also found that owing to the existence of vacant dropping orbitals the Auger transitions in quasimolecules possess appreciable cross sections serve in atomic collisions as one of the main mechanisms of formation of electrons with a continuous energy distribution