Quantum chaos, statistical equilibrium and resonant radiative capture of electrons by multicharged ions: Au 24+
Abstract
We show that the spectrum and eigenstates of open-shell multicharged atomic ions near the ionization threshold are chaotic, as a result of extremely high level densities of multiply excited electron states (1000 levels per eV in Au 24+) and a strong configuration mixing. This complexity enables one to use statistical methods to analyze the system. The orbital occupation numbers obey the Fermi-Dirac distribution, and temperature can be introduced. We show that radiative capture of electrons through the multielectron resonant states is strongly enhanced compared to the direct radiative recombination.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- August 1998
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.physics/9808025
- arXiv:
- arXiv:physics/9808025
- Bibcode:
- 1998physics...8025G
- Keywords:
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- Physics - Atomic Physics
- E-Print:
- 10 pages including 5 figures, REVTEX, submitted to PRL (July 1998)