Ionization of hydrogen atoms by multiply charged ions at low energies: The scaling law

Abstract

Using the adiabatic superpromotion model of low-energy atomic collisions, a simple scaling relationship is derived for the ionization cross section of hydrogen atoms colliding with multiply charged ions. Detailed ionization-cross-section calculations for the systems H(1s)+${\mathrm{He}}^{2+}$, ${\mathrm{C}}^{6+}$, and ${\mathrm{O}}^{8+}$ have been performed and used to determine three numerical constants in the cross-section-scaling relationship. The scaled cross section represents well the available data for fully stripped ions with charge Z≥2 in the energy region below the cross-section maximum.