Theoretical demonstration of the feasibility of observing vortices in the ejected-electron spectrum in bare-ion--two-electron-atom collisions

Abstract

Using a fully correlated, four-dimensional lattice, time-dependent Schr\odinger equation model of the collisions of bare projectile ions with two-electron atoms (H${}^{+}$, He${}^{2+}$ $+$ He), we demonstrate the existence of vortices in the resulting spectrum of ejected electrons. Following the uncovering of these features in collisions involving only one electron (H${}^{+}$ $+$ H) [Macek et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 143201 (2009)], this demonstration provides impetus for seeking these features in more readily feasible experimental conditions using a cold helium target and the reaction microscope technique.