THE MULTIPLE IONIZATION OF ARGON INDUCED BY PARTIALLY STRIPPED CARBON IONS

The cross section ratios of the double, triple and quadruplicate ionization to the single ionization of argon by 1.5-7.5 MeV partially stripped carbon ions are measured by using time-of-flight technique. The Auger transition and the charge exchange process in the multiple ionization of argon are studied. The ratios of cross sections of the direct multiple ionization to those of the direct single ionization are obtained by subtracting the parts of the Auger transition and the charge exchange process from the measured data. It is found that the cross section ratios of the direct multiple ionization to those of the direct single ionization are in good agreement with the predicted mniti-step (\nu/q_eff)^-2n+2 law.