Cross sections for the interaction of multiply charged Ta and Ti ions with H2and He at low collision energies

Total interaction cross sections for collisions of multiply charged Ta and Ti ions with H 2 and He as targets have been determined in a gas chamber experiment. A laser produced plasma has been used as the ion source. Energy spectra of total cross sections are obtained by the combined time-of-flight/retarding potential method for collision energies from several eV amu -1 to about 30 eV amu -1 . This energy range is of particular interest in the plasma edge region of fusion reactors. Generally it is found that the cross sections for H 2 range from about 3*10 15 cm 2 to 10 -14 cm 2 while those for He are smaller by about an order of magnitude. There is experimental evidence that the essential contribution to the measured total cross sections can be attributed to electron capture.