Atomic collision studies at moderate projectile velocities using highly charged,decelerated heavy ions from the GSI-UNILAC

Beams of highly ionized, very heavy atoms at moderate velocities have been produced at the UNILAC using the acceleration-stripping-deceleration method. The available ion species range from Kr³³⁺ to U⁶⁶⁺ in the energy region between 2 and 5 MeV/u. A survey on first experiments at GSI using these moderate velocity, few electron, heavy ion beams is given. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated for Xe^q+ ?Xe collision experiments with 41 ≤ q ≤ 45. Results on vacancy transfer between inner quasimolecular levels for close collisions, and on distant collision electron capture are reported.