Orientation effects inHe2+−H2+collisions at intermediate collision energies

Abstract

Orientation effects for electron transfer in keV ${\mathrm{He}}^{2+}\text{\ensuremath{-}}{\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$ collisions are calculated based on a semiclassical close coupling model which accurately describes the electronic dynamics. When direct processes dominate it is shown that a configuration where the molecule is perpendicular to the ion momentum is always most favorable. At lower collision energies, rotational couplings and important contributions from low impact parameters can lead to dominant capture cross sections from molecular target aligned parallel with the collision beam.