Features of energy loss for ions with K vacancy

The change in the average charge of helium-like ions when metastable particles are present in the beam is studied. The charge fractions and average charges are calculated as functions of the target thickness for ions with Z = 3–8 at a velocity of 3.65 au. Previous data on the cross sections for electron capture and loss by metastable ions are used in the calculations. It is shown that, for all ions under consideration, the presence of metastable particles in the beam leads to an increase in the average equilibrium charge and, possibly, to a corresponding increase in energy loss and ion ranges.