Quasiresonance charge exchange of hydrogen isotopes mesic atoms in excited states

Abstract

Processes of charge exchange of hydrogen isotopes mesic atoms in excited states at low collision energies 10−2≲E≲1 eV are studied. The cross sections calculated depend on energy like ∼E−1 and are of an order of the atomic cross sections (∼10−16 cm2). It is shown that the high rates (∼1012 s−1) of charge exchange and thermalization of mesic atoms in excited states at the liquid hydrogen density are comparable with the rates of cascade transitions in mesic atoms.