New Technique for the Measurement of Lifetimes of Heavy-Ion Inner-Shell Vacancies

We report a new technique for the measurement of short lifetimes (10^-14 sec) of innershell vacancies in heavy-ion projectiles moving through thin, solid targets. The technique is applicable whenever the yield of projectile x rays does not increase in proportion to target thickness. Lifetime values of 1.5×{}10^-14 and 3.3×{}10^-14 sec have been found for Kα and Kβ transitions, respectively, in highly stripped sulfur ions.