Electron-transfer reactions of fast Xe/sup n/+ ions with Xe in the energy range 15 keV to 1.6 MeV

Electron-transfer cross sections for the reactions of Xe/sup n/+ (n = 1--4) with Xe atoms have been determined as a function of projectile-ion kinetic energy in the range 15 keV--1.6 MeV. For Xe/sup n/+ (n = 2, 3, 4), cross sections for sequential transfer of two or more electrons in single-ion--atom collisions have been obtained. These cross sections decrease with increasing number of electrons transferred. The observed insensitivity of cross sections to projectile kinetic energy in the range investigated follows the condition that the linear velocity of the ion is less than the orbital velocity of a valence electron in the slow-moving target atom. Attenuation cross sections for reactions of Xe/sup n/+ (n = 2, 3, 4) follow approximately a Z2/sub direct-sum/ charge dependence. A simple classical model based on Coulomb forces yields cross sections with a reasonable fit to the experimental data