Two-step radiative recombination of polarized electrons into bare, high-Z ions

The radiative recombination of polarized electrons into the excited states of bare, high-Z ions and the subsequent photon decay are studied in the framework of the density matrix theory. The two-photon angular correlation function is analyzed for the electron capture into the 2p(3/2) state of bare uranium projectile and following Lyman-alpha(1) (2p(3/2) --> 1s(1/2)) transition. It is shown that the two-photon angular correlation function is sensitive to the incident electron polarization and. therefore, can be used to determine either the polarization of the electron target and/or the projectile ions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.