Ionization of rubidium by 50 − eV electrons

We report on a joint experimental and theoretical study of 50-eV electron-impact ionization of rubidium. Comparison of the experimental data with theoretical predictions from various models shows good qualitative agreement, as long as distortion and channel-coupling effects in the projectile-target interaction are accounted for. The remaining differences between experiment and theory indicate the need for further studies of this collision system.