Electron capture by finite-size polarizable molecules and clusters

Abstract

The effects of finite molecular target size are investigated for partial-wave selected capture of electrons by isotropically polarizable molecules and clusters within a generalized Vogt-Wannier model. It is shown how expressions for partial-wave selected capture probabilities of zero-size targets from Dashevskaya et al. (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2009, 11, 9364) can be modified to account for finite target sizes of the molecules and clusters. The transition from quantum to classical, from single- to multiple- and all-wave, behaviour of capture probabilities, cross sections, and rate constants is illustrated.