Collision processes involving heavy many-electron ions interacting with neutral atoms

An overview of experimental data and theoretical computational methods is given for effective cross sections of charge exchange (electron capture) and electron loss (projectile ionization) processes involving heavy many-electron ions (like Xeq+, Pbq+, Wq+, Uq+) colliding with neutral atoms (H, He, N, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe) in the E ∼ 10 keV/u – 10 Gev/u energy range, i.e., from low up to relativistic energies. These charge-changing processes can occur with a high probability, reaching 10-14 –10-16 cm2 cross-section values and, therefore, they play a key role in the kinetics of laboratory and astrophysical plasmas and influence the lifetimes of ion beams in accelerator facilities. Multielectron capture and loss processes are considered, as well, since their importance in the case of heavy atomic projectiles strongly increases, and a contribution to the total cross sections reaches more than 50%. An important aspect of the overview is a consideration of the influence of the inner-shell electrons of two colliding systems and a role of isotope effects in electron capture by very slow ions (E∼10 – 100 eV/u) from hydrogen isotopes H, D, and T. A short description of the corresponding computer codes is given for the calculation of cross sections of electron capture and electron loss processes for complex atoms and ions over a wide collision energy range. (reviews of topical problems)