Oscillatory behaviour of charge transfer probabilities in ion-atom collisions

Abstract

The oscillatory behaviour of charge transfer probability as a function of impact parameter in ion–atom collisions often referred to as Stueckelberg oscillations is discussed in terms of simple first-order time-dependent perturbation theory. The system of He+2 + H is used to make the treatment specific. Symmetry consequences for transfer probabilities due to nonadiabatic coupling terms are analysed that apply to general ion–atom systems.