X-rays from Coalescing Atoms

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• High-Energy Physics

Background:

• X-ray continua arise from atomic collisions, offering insights into electronic processes.
• The quasimolecular nature of this radiation has been confirmed in atomic collision studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the quasimolecular origin of X-ray continua in atomic collisions.
• To explore the potential of X-ray continua for simulating and studying superheavy atoms.
• To investigate fundamental processes under extreme electromagnetic fields.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of X-ray continua emitted during atomic collisions.
• Utilizing increased atomic numbers of projectiles and targets to simulate superheavy elements.
• Examining the energy dependence of K, L, and M Molybdenum (MO) radiation anisotropy and M MO spectra.

Main Results:

• The quasimolecular origin of continuum radiation in atomic collisions has been established.
• The study demonstrates that increasing atomic numbers simulates properties of superheavy atoms.
• Peaked structures in X-ray anisotropy and spectra allow for approximate spectroscopic studies of superheavy atoms.

Conclusions:

• X-ray continua provide a novel method for studying electronic processes in atomic collisions.
• This research opens avenues for spectroscopic investigations of superheavy atoms.
• Future experiments with high-energy beams (e.g., 1400-Mev U at GSI) will probe fundamental physics under extreme conditions.