Probing scattering wave functions close to the nucleus

Recently, three-dimensional imaging of the ejected electrons following 100 MeV/amu C6+ single ionization of helium led to the observation of a new structure not predicted by theory [M. Schulz et al., Nature (London) 422, 48 (2003)]. Instead of the usual "recoil lobe" centered on the momentum-transfer axis, a ring-shaped structure centered on the beam axis was observed. New measurements at 2 MeV/amu exhibit a similar structure, which is now predicted by theory. We argue that the same theory failed at 100 MeV/amu because the faster projectiles probe distances much closer to the nucleus, where our multiple-scattering model is expected to break down.