L x-ray production cross sections in high-Z atoms by 3-5 MeV/u silicon ions

Total L x-ray production cross sections have been measured in 74W, 79Au, 82Pb, and 83Bi by impact of 3-5 MeV/u 28Si ions, with different charge states q = 8+ up to 12+. We find that the measured cross sections do not differ with the charge state of the projectile ions, but they vary with the beam energies. The experimental data has been compared with three theoretical results, ECUSAR, ECPSSR and SLPA by using the multiple-hole fluorescence and Coster-Kronig yields. The comparison has showed the best agreement with the ECUSAR. The SLPA results also describe the experiments quite well for 74W, 79Au and 83Bi, but certain differences are observed for 82Pb, while the ECPSSR values underestimate by up to a factor two. Surprisingly, the theoretical-experimental agreement is better at low beam energies than in the high beam energy side.