Distribution ofK α L n satellite yields for mediumZ elements bombarded with16O ions

K _α X-ray spectra were measured with a Du Mond type curves crystal spectrometer for₄₂Mo and₄₆Pd targets bombarded with oxygen ions at 5.5 MeV/u energy (i.e. at velocity closely matching those of the targetL-shell electrons). The distribution ofL-shell vacancies produced in collisions with simultaneousK-shell ionization is deduced from the measured yield distribution of theK _α X-ray satellites. The distribution shows deviations from the binomial ones. The deviations can be accounted for by assuming that theL-shell vacancy production is due to two uncorrelated processes: the direct ionization by impact and the electron capture from theL-shell of the target atom into theK-shell of the projectile, both occurring at nearly central collisions. The corresponding probability values are deduced using simple statistical considerations.