Wave packet approach to the ionization of high-Z, hydrogen-like ions

The projectile ionization of high-Z, hydrogen-like ions is studied for relativistic collisions with low- and medium-Z target atoms. For such collisions, the ionization cross-sections at intermediate and high energies are calculated within the framework of first-order perturbation theory and by utilizing a wave packet approach to the continuum. Emphasis in this study is given in particular to the relativistic representation of the continuum and bound state wave functions which, until now, has seldom been used for the description of total ionization cross-sections in relativistic collisions. The results are compared with the more commonly applied semi- and ultra-relativistic approximations of Anholt and Becker [Phys. Rev. A 36 (1987) 4628] as well as with available experimental data. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.