Theoretical estimate of fivefold differential cross sections and spin asymmetry for K-shell (e,3e) processes with transversely-spin-polarized relativistic electrons

Abstract

Ab initio first-order Born calculations of the fivefold differential cross section (FDCS) and transverse spin asymmetry in FDCS for the K-shell double ionization of atoms by transversely polarized incident electron are reported. The FDCS and transverse spin asymmetry in FDCS are found to be sensitive to atomic number Z, ejection angle, and energy-sharing ratio of the ejected electrons. FDCS is decomposed into longitudinal and transverse contributions and their effects on the angular profile of FDCS such as shifting in the binary peak are reported. Hitherto, all (e,3e) experiments have been performed in the nonrelativistic energy regime without consideration of spin polarization. We hope that the present calculation of FDCS and spin asymmetry in FDCS may induce quantum mechanically complete (e,3e) experiments in the relativistic energy regime wherein spin-dependent interaction becomes prominent.