Analysis of Unexplained Oscillations in Intermediate-Energy Ion-Atom Collisions

Abstract

Recent studies of collisions of ions with Rydberg atoms have revealed oscillations in the electron capture cross section associated with the number of swaps the electron undergoes between the target and the projectile during the collision. We show that signatures of this time-dependent phenomenon also exist classically in collisions of ions with ground state atoms. Based on classical and quantum simulations, we analyze the conditions under which this phenomenon could be observed. Our results indicate that it should be characteristic of a wide range of reactions in ion-atom collisions.