The formation of fast metastable and ground-state xenon atoms by electron capture

Electron capture collisions between Xe + ions and the inert gases, hydrogen and methane have been investigated within the energy range 2-20 keV. Cross sections for the formation of bound ( 1 S 0 ) and metastable (6s' 00 or 2 P 1 2/6s) have been separately determined, the latter by a novel detection technique involving laser photoionisation via an autoionising level. The results are in accord with current theoretical predictions where available.