Inclusive multi-channel measurement of the impact-parameter distribution in collisions of swift heavy ions with He

Recoil ion momentum spectroscopy is used to study the impact-parameter dependence of the single-ionization, double-ionization, single-capture and transfer-ionization channels in fast collisions of highly charged ions with He. The possibility of obtaining a relationship between the impact parameter and the transverse momentum of the recoil in inelastic collisions is investigated. It is found that a deflection function based on a static screening potential gives consistent agreement between model calculations based on the independent electron approximation and the experimental data for all channels investigated and over the whole range of impact parameters deduced from the measurement.