A study of core effects in quasimolecular structure

Abstract

In previous work we have studied the effect on an “inert” core in atomic collisions, for the usual case where the corresponding “isoelectronic” (same number of active electrons) quasimolecules have similar correlation diagrams, and collisional mechanisms are similar. Here these studies were extended to cases where the correlation diagrams, and thereby the reaction mechanisms, are qualitatively different. In particular, the effect of the inner CHe 6+ core on the correlation diagram of the CHe 4+ quasimolecule, and on the mechanisms of C 4+ + He single and double charge transfer cross-sections were analysed, as compared with Be 4+ + He, where the core is empty. The analysis was made in the light of the analogy between the treatment of doubly excited and two-valence electron states. The absence of core effects at high nuclear velocities is discussed.