Total cross sections for charge transfer and production of free electrons by collisions between alkali atoms and some molecules

Abstract

Making use of a recently developed sputtering source the production of ions and electrons has been studied in collisions of K, Na and Li with Br 2, Cl 2, I 2, CO, N 2 and NO 2 at relative velocities from threshold up to 13 000 m/s. Assuming that the ion-production takes place via the crossing of the covalent and ionic potential surfaces involved, the measurements of the threshold energies enables us to determine the electron affinities of the molecular collision partners. By applying the Landau-Zener theory on those cases where a maximum in the total ionization cross section is observed some information can be obtained about the resonance energy at the crossing point.