Top-of-barrier electrons

The energy and angular distribution of electrons ejected from one-electron species by fast ion impact show two noticable features, namely, the binary encounter ridge and the continuum capture cusp. No other features have been conclusively identified although there has been some contradictory evidence for a third feature, namely, saddle point or top-of-barrier electrons. For electrons ejected from atoms by ions with velocities below the mean electron velocity in the initial state, both the binary encounter ridge and the continuum capture cusp are suppressed. In this region the top-of-barrier mechanism is predicted to contribute strongly to ionization. Theoretical and experimental evidence for the associated top-of-barrier electrons is reviewed.