K X-ray production cross sections of transition metals induced by carbon ions impact: Influence of projectile mass

K X-ray production cross sections of Co, Ni, and Zn due to the impact of 2.48 MeV to 3.84 MeV ¹²C³⁺ and ¹³C³⁺ ions were experimentally determined using the thick target approach. It was possible to observe differences in the cross sections due to the distinct mass of the ions. A reduced variable v₁/v_2K, where v₁ is the ion velocity and v_2K is the (Bohr) electron orbital velocity, was considered to scale the ion energies. When the data were plotted as a function of the reduced variable, a single curve was obtained for all targets and both isotopes. Comparisons with several models were also made, including corrections due to electron capture and multiple ionization. It was found that the adiabatic perturbation with molecular orbitals formation, plus electron capture and multiple ionization corrections, is the theory that better describes the experimental results.