Spin asymmetries in spatially resolved processes of ionization of heavy atoms by relativistic electrons

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 2003 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.67.044702· OSTI ID:20634045

Kampp, Marco ^[1]; Pyper, N C ^[2]; Whelan, Colm T ^[3]; Walters, H R.J. ^[4]

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1. Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, Silver Street, Cambridge CB3 9EW (United Kingdom)
2. University Chemical Laboratory, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW (United Kingdom)
3. Department of Physics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0116 (United States)
4. Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN (United Kingdom)

The triple-differential cross section for ionization of a heavy atom is shown to depend on the spin of the incident electron even if this is polarized entirely parallel or antiparallel to its direction of propagation, the atom is unpolarized, and the spins of the ejected electrons are not resolved. Quantitative predictions for the spin asymmetry are presented in a relativistic distorted-wave Born approximation. Simple physical models are introduced to understand both these results and further symmetry properties involving the reversal of a spatial momentum component also.

• OSTI ID: 20634045
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 67; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ASYMMETRY
ATOMS
CORRECTIONS
DIFFERENTIAL CROSS SECTIONS
DWBA
ELECTRON-ATOM COLLISIONS
ELECTRONS
IONIZATION
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
SPIN
SYMMETRY