The longitudinal momentum transfer to the recoil ion in collisions of 1 MeV/amu bare F ions with Ne are resolved for final charge states of both projectile and recoil ions. We observe the recoil to be thrown backwards in electron-capture events, reflecting the physical impact of the electron translation factor. The size of the momentum transfer is in agreement with classical trajectory Monte Carlo calculations for low charge state recoil ions but not for high charge state recoil ions.

• Received 28 September 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.71.696