Precision measurements of cross-sections for inelastic processes in collisions of alkali metal ions with atoms of rare gases

A multifaceted experimental study of collisions of Na[Formula: see text] and K[Formula: see text] ions in the energy range of 0.5–10 keV with He and Ar atoms is presented. Absolute cross-sections for charge-exchange, ionization, stripping and excitation processes were measured using a refined version of the transfer electric field method, angle- and energy-dependent collection of product ions, energy loss and optical spectroscopy methods. The experimental data and the schematic correlation diagrams are employed to analyze and determine the mechanisms for these processes.