Observation of fine-structure transitions in rare gas charge transfer at surprisingly low energies using a crossed-molecular beam technique

Abstract

The crossed-beam method was used to investigate the charge-transfer reaction of Kr +( 2P 3 2 ) with Kr( 1S 0), using a nearly pure Kr +( 2P 3 2 ) ion beam. The resonant charge-transfer reaction is well described by a standard theoretical rectilinear-trajectory model. The endoergic fine-structure transition with Δ J = 1 was also detected. This product is scattered at a definite angle, suggesting a short-range interaction which selects a particular impact parameter. Both channels are in general accord with accepted theories for ion/atom charge exchange, but the energy range at which the endothermic channel is observed is much lower than predicted.