Characteristic X-ray production in high-energy heavy-ion collisions

Mechanisms of inner shell (particularly K-shell) vacancy production in ion atom collisions with projectile velocities smaller than inner shell electron velocities are discussed for two regimes of collision systems (Zsub(T) - Zsub(p) >> 1 and Zsub(p)/Zsub(T) approximately 1; Zsub(p) and Zsub(T) are projectile and target nuclear charge). In the regime Zsub(T) - Zsub(p) >> 1, K vacancy probabilities are compared with first order perturbation theory including the ''binding effect''. In the regime Zsub(p)/Zsub(T) approximately 1 the impact parameter and projectile charge state dependent cross sections are discussed within the molecular orbital model. (Auth.)