Inner shell (e, 2e) processes

The great advantage of coincidence measurements is that by suitable choice of the kinematical and geometrical arrangement one may probe delicate physical effects that would be swamped in less differential experiments. The calculation of the triple-differential cross section for the inner shell ionization of high-Z elements at relativistic energies presents a serious challenge to theory. Relativistic effects enter in both the kinematics and the nature of the target, and the large atom exerts a strong distorting influence. We consider such processes in a range of geometries and kinematics. We report the results of fully relativistic distorted wave calculations. Results are presented for silver, gold, and uranium targets and suggestions for further experimental arrangements proposed where delicate relativistic effects should be readily detectable.