Effect of the configuration mixing on the polarization and angular distribution of x-ray line emissions following electron-impact excitation of Ne-like ions

Abstract

We present a systematic theoretical study on the angular distribution and linear polarization of x-ray line emissions of neon-like ions following the electron-impact excitation from the ground state to the excited levels [(2p5)1/23d3/2]J=1, [(2p5)3/23d5/2]J=1, [(2p5)3/23d3/2]J=1, and [(2p5)1/23s]J=1. The cross sections are calculated by using the flexible atomic code under configuration-interaction plus many-body perturbation theory method. The angular distribution and linear polarization are obtained based on density matrix theory. Emphasis has been placed on the effect of the configuration mixing on the angular distribution and polarization. It has been proved that the strong mixing of configuration [(2p5)3/23d3/2]J=1 with configuration [(2p5)1/23s]J=1 can result in the abrupt change of Z-dependence of angular distribution and polarization. It indicates that angular distribution and polarization can be expected to serve as a tool for investigation of configuration mixing effect.