Observation of Oscillatory (Interference?) Structure in the Forward Peak from Fast-Projectile Electron Loss

Significant unexplained oscillator structure has been observed in the wings of the forward electron-loss peak from 1.6-3.9-MeV/amu Oq+ and Siq+ ions traversing Ne and Ar gases. On the basis of the observed projectile Z₁, q, and velocity and target Z₂ dependencies, this structure appears likely to arise from interference of amplitudes describing alternative channels for populating projectile-centered continuum states, conceivably including channels involving simultaneous ejection of two or more electrons.