A tool for spectroscopy of super-heavy quasimolecules (Z 1+Z 2>137) the Bang-Hansteen scaling rule

From 90° line width analysis ofKα₁ lines excited in very heavy ion-atom collisions (Z ₁ +Z ₂>137) mean impact parameters for the ionization probability are derived. The experimental mean impact parameters are shown to obey the Bang-Hansteen scaling rule¯bE(R)=C · ?v correlating the minimum momentum transferE(R)/v and the mean impact parameterb. Theoretical values of the constantC are (0.8±0.1) for 2p _1/2 σ excitation and (1.0±0.1) for 1sσ excitation in the rangeZ ₁+Z ₂=140–160. It is proposed to apply the scaling rule as a spectroscopic tool to study the 1sσ and 2p _1/2 σ levels in superheavy quasimolecules. The need of a sound theoretical base justifying the application of the scaling rule is emphasized.