Total cross sections for different charge changing processes in collisions of highly charged Xe ions with He atoms at low energy

For xenon ions with charge states up to 31, colliding with a helium gas target, the authors have measured absolute total cross sections for the different possible charge changing processes at low (4q keV) energy. Projectiles and recoil ions were registered in coincidence, allowing the determination of the recoil ion charge state from its time of flight. For reactions where the projectile has picked up one electron, those where the target has lost two electrons ('transfer ionisation') always make up a substantial fraction of the total cross section. For 'true' double electron transfer the cross section is always small ( approximately=10 -16 cm 2 ), and does not vary significantly as a function of projectile charge.