Nonperturbative calculation of charge-changing processes in C4+ scatteringfrom neon atoms - art. no. 012711

Total cross sections for single- and multiple-electron capture and ionizati on events in C4+ + Ne collisions are calculated in the independent particle model using the nonperturbative basis generator method. Dynamical screenin g effects due to the removal of electrons from the target atom and due to t he capture of electrons to the projectile ion are taken into account in a g lobal fashion. Our data for impact energies from 20 to 2000 keV/amu follow the trends of previous calculations for proton and He2+ impact, in particul ar with respect to the energy dependence of the net electron loss from the target. When comparing our results to available experimental total cross se ctions for C4+ and F4+ impact, we find that (1) relative populations of rec oil ion charge states are generally well reproduced; (2) the absolute norma lizations of experimental data appear to be problematic; and (3) charge-sta te correlated cross sections are in agreement for processes including up to two electrons, but discrepancies persist for higher electron multiplicitie s. It is argued that new experimental investigations of global and charge-s tate correlated cross sections would be helpful to further the understandin g of ion-atom collision systems with many active electrons in the regime of medium impact energies.