Impact parameter dependence of L-shell excitation in 17 to 40 MeV Ag + Ag and Ag + Cs collisions

The impact parameter dependence of L-shell excitation in Ag + Ag and Ag + Cs collisions has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. At collision energies of 17, 26 and 40 MeV, collisionally induced L x-rays have been observed in coincidence with scattered ions. The ions have been detected in a position-sensitive multi-wire proportional chamber. The (relative) number of excited L-shell electrons has been deduced for impact parameters b in the range 0.005 au <approximately equal to b <approximately equal to 0.15 au. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of the molecular orbital model of atomic collisions. (author)