The K -shell ionization of atoms by high-energy electrons

Abstract

An expression for the cross-section for K -shell ionization of atoms by electrons is obtained by using Moller’s relativistic modification of the Born approximation. Results are presented for the elements with atomic numbers less than 30. For nickel the calculated cross-sections are in good agreement with those measured by Kirkpatrick and his collaborators, a marked improvement due to the allowance for relativistic effects being found at high energies of impact. The normalization of the wave function of the ejected electron is discussed in the appendix.