Formation of excited states in high-Z helium-like systems

High-Z helium-like ions represent the simplest multi-electron systems for s tudying the interplay between electron-electron correlations, relativistic as well as quantum electrodynamical effects in strong fields. In contrast t o the adjacent lithium-like ions, however, almost no experimental informati on is available about the excited states in the high-Z domain of the helium sequence. Here, we present a theoretical analysis of the X-ray production and decay dynamics of the excited states in helium-like uranium. Emphasis h as been paid particularly to the formation of the P-3(0) and P-3(2) levels by using electron capture into hydrogen-like U91+. Both states are of inter est for precise measurements on high-Z helium-like ions in the future.