Detailed investigation of electron-impact single-ionization cross sections and plasma rate coefficients of N-shell tin ions.

Electron-impact single-ionization cross sections of Snq+ ions in charge states q = 4-13 with 4d[10-(q-4)] outer-shell configurations have been studied in the energy range from the corresponding thresholds up to 1000 eV. Absolute cross sections and fine-step energy-scan data have been measured employing the crossed-beams technique. Contributions of different ionization mechanisms have been analysed by comparing the experimental data with calculations employing the configuration-averaged distorted wave approximation. Ionization plasma rate coefficients inferred from the experimental data are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]