Coincidence Observations of Strong Correlations between Bound- and Continuum-State Electron Capture by Fast, Highly Ionized Ions in Gases

Comparative rates for simultaneous capture of zero, one, two, and three electrons into bound states measured in coincidence with an electron capture to continuum states, have been determined for 7-9-a.u. velocity C⁶⁺ and O⁸⁺ ions in Ar. Estimates based on the high correlations observed lead to the conclusion that traditionally measured cross sections for single and multiple bound-state capture have often been inappropriately compared with pure bound-state capture theories, tacitly ignoring an important unseen channel.