POLARIZATION OF X-RAY LI-LIKE AND BE-LIKE FE SATELLITE LINES EXCITED BY AN ELECTRON-BEAM

We have calculated the polarization properties of dielectronic satelli te lines in Li- and Be-like Fe ions excited through resonance electron capture by a monoenergetic electron beam. Following the density matri x formalism, we have computed the degree of polarization and the spect ral intensity distribution of dielectronic satellites associated with a given polarization state. Theoretical results were compared with exp eriments performed at the Livermore Electron Beam Ion Trap where satel lite line emission from Fe ions was simultaneously recorded with two c rystal spectrometers. These results are relevant to diagnostic applica tions of x-ray line polarization spectroscopy in plasmas. (C) 1997 Ame rican Institute of Physics.