A high resolution X-ray crystal spectrometer to study electron and heavy-ion impact atomic collisions

We have studied fast ion-atom and electron-atom collision processes using a reconditioned high resolution X-ray spectrometer. The X-rays, generated by the collisions, are dispersed by a curved ADP crystal (Johansson geometry) and detected by a gas proportional counter. A self-written LabVIEW based program has been used to give precise and controlled movement to the crystal and for data acquisition. The performance was tested by detecting the K alpha diagram and satellite lines of several elements. The K alpha satellite lines of Al have been studied in collision with 3-12 keV electrons and 40 MeV C4+ ions. In ion collisions as large as four L-vacancies are created simultaneously with the K-vacancy, compared to two satellites in case of the e-impact. In addition, we have measured the X-rays from H-, He-and Li-like Si ions which arise due to the electron loss/capture process in highly charged 80 MeV Si7+ ions in collision with thin carbon foil. Approximate charge state distribution has been obtained using this new technique.