Formation of excited states in high-Z helium like systems

High-Z helium-like ions represent the simplest multi-electron systems for studying the interplay between electron‐electron correlations, relativistic as well as quantum electrodynamical effects in strong fields. In contrast to the adjacent lithium-like ions, however, almost no experimental information is available about the excited states in the high-Z domain of the helium sequence. Here, we present a theoretical analysis of the X-ray production and decay dynamics of the excited states in helium-like uranium. Emphasis has been paid particularly to the formation of the 3 P0 and 3 P2 levels by using electron capture into hydrogen-like U 91+ . Both states are of interest for precise measurements on high-Z helium-like ions in the future.