Auger spectroscopy of quasimolecules

The ionization occurring in atomic collisions in the keV energy range related 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 the coincidences produced by the electrons and 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 autoionized states of quasimolecules formed in collisions between the oxygen, neon or krypton atoms and ions 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 due to the existence of vacant lowering orbitals the Auger transitions in quasimolecules possess appreciable cross sections and are one of the main mechanisms of formation of electrons with a continuous energy distribution in atomic collisions