Stueckelberg oscillations in the charge transfer into the n = 2 and n = 3 shells of He2 on collision with H

• Published in: International journal of quantum chemistry Vol. 109; no. 13; pp. 3063 - 3074
• Main Authors: Stolterfoht, N., Cabrera-Trujillo, R., Krstić, P. S., Öhrn, Y., Deumens, E., Sabin, J. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 05-11-2009
• Subjects: ATOM COLLISIONS; ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS; charge transfer; CHARGE TRANSPORT; ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE; HELIUM; HYDROGEN; IMPACT PARAMETER; ion-atom collisions; OSCILLATIONS; PROBABILITY; SCHROEDINGER EQUATION; state selective; Stueckelberg oscillations
• ISSN: 0020-7608; 1097-461X
• DOI: 10.1002/qua.22149

Probabilities for charge transfer by He2+ impact on atomic H are calculated at low‐collision energies using an ab initio theory, which solves the time‐dependent Schrödinger equation. The charge transfer is interpreted in terms of radial and rotational couplings of molecular orbitals. Strong Stueckelberg oscillations for the charge transfer probability into the n = 2 shell of helium are observed over nearly the entire impact parameter range. The same oscillations are found for the charge transfer into the n = 3 shell in the impact parameter range from 2.5 a.u. upwards, whereas at impact parameters below 2.5 a.u. the oscillations disappear abruptly. This observation is associated with specific pathways along the potential curves, which are responsible for the charge transfer. Similarities with the interferences in Young's two‐slit experiment are pointed out. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009