Electron capture and target excitation in slow ion-alkali atom collisions

Abstract

Experimental cross sections for single electron capture and target atom resonance line emission in impact of singly charged ions (He+, Ne+, Ar+, C+, N+, O+) on respectively Li(2s) and Na(3s) are presented and compared with semiempirical calculations of the Demkov-Olson type. It is shown that such calculations can still be useful despite involvement of metastable primary ion admixtures and several final states. In addition, observed undulations in the impact energy dependence of electron capture — and target excitation cross sections are discussed.