Beam lifetimes for low-charge-state heavy ions in the GSI storage rings

Lifetimes for 10–50 MeV/u U28+ ions were measured for base vacuum conditions in the ESR storage ring at GSI-Darmstadt. The lifetimes are due to total electron loss from U28+ resulting from interactions with background gases in the ring. Lifetimes were also measured for interactions with H2 and N2 targets. These data provide information about the relative magnitudes and energy dependences of the stripping cross-sections resulting from interactions with H2 and N2, gases which represent the primary constituents in high and ultra-high vacuum environments.