State-to-state charge exchange cross sections in high-velocity asymmetric and near-symmetric collisions of 400 MeV Fe²⁶⁺ions

Absolute 1s to np(n<or=4) and 1s to nd(n<or=5) charge exchange cross sections have been measured for the first time for collisions of bare ions other than protons. The asymmetric case with the projectile nuclear charge higher than the target one has been explored and tests are presented of recently developed multiple scattering theories (continuum distorted-wave methods, restricted strong-potential Born, peaking impulse approximation). Target-induced distortion effects are clearly displayed in the case of heavy target atoms.