The influence of electron-electron interaction on inner-shell excitation processes in heavy-ion collisions

The authors present calculations of electron excitation rates in heavy-ion collisions, in which the electron-electron interaction is treated within a relativistic self-consistent field approach. In comparison with earlier calculations neglecting electron shielding, the authors obtain increased probabilities for K-hole and delta -electron production, whereas the total positron yield decreases. Computed probabilities are compared with available experimental data.