Theoretical shapes of K x-ray spectra for lead as predicted by MCDF calculations

Simulations of the shapes of Pb K x-ray spectra have been performed for an experimental situation in which single and double L- and M-shell ionization (apart from the single K-shell ionization) of target atoms occurs. The simulations are based on the results of the calculations of the energies and probabilities of various Pb K x-ray transitions, done with the multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock (MCDF) method with the inclusion of the transverse (Breit) interaction and quantum electro dynamic (QED) corrections. It has been found that most contributions to the simulated spectra considerably overlap other contributions. Thus, their extraction from the measured spectra, which provides data about the L- and M-shell ionization probability in a collision process, will only be possible using the results of theoretical studies. Our studies can be crucial in both analysis of a number of observed Pb K x-ray spectra and in designing new experiments concerning the K x-ray spectra of multiply ionized heavy atoms induced in collisions with various light or heavy projectiles of different energies. (authors)