Angular momentum and orientation effects in excitation-ionization collisions. (5th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harris, A L; Esposito, T P
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 49:Number 16(2016:Aug. 15)
• Publication Date: 2016-08-05
• Subjects: excitation-ionization -- partial wave -- angular momentum -- oriented atoms; 34.80.Dp; Atoms -- Periodicals; Molecules -- Periodicals; Optics -- Periodicals; Nuclear physics -- Periodicals; 539.6
• DOI: 10.1088/0953-4075/49/16/165202
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-4075

Abstract

Abstract: We present theoretical fully differential cross sections (FDCS) for electron-impact excitation-ionization of helium in which the final state He + ion is oriented in a particular direction. Specifically, we study the process for He + ions in the 2p0 state. Using our 4-body distorted wave model, we show a strong dependence of the FDCS on the ion's orientation and trace some unexpected structures in the FDCS to the L = 2 term in the partial wave expansion for the ionized electron. A comparison is drawn to the ionization of oriented Mg (3p0) atoms, and unlike that process, we find that for excitation-ionization angular momentum must be transferred from either the projectile or the target atom.