Charge-state evolution of highly charged ions transmitted through microcapillaries - art. no. 020901

The charge-state evolution of highly charged ions transmitted through micro capillaries is studied theoretically by a classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulation.: The interaction of highly charged ions with the internal surfa ce of the capillary is treated within the framework of dielectric response theory. We analyze the distance of closest approach and the angular distrib utions of the highly charged ions at the exit of the microcapillary. We fin d the charge-state fraction of transmitted N6+ projectiles, in: good agreem ent with first measurements. Moreover, our calculations indicate that grazi ng collisions with the microcapillary surface hold the promise of direct ob servation of charge transfer and hollow-atom formation at a large distance from the surface.