ION-ION RECOMBINATION AND ION-PAIR FORMATION PROCESSES IN ALKALI-HYDROGEN DIATOMIC SYSTEMS

The mutual neutralization and ion-pair-formation reactions in alkali-hydrogen diatomic systems are investigated in the low-energy region. The ionic-covalent exchange interaction in these systems at the diabatic curve crossings is calculated by the Landau-Herring method. The cross sections and reaction-rate coefficients of these reactions are calculated using the Landau-Zener theory, modified to include the underbarrier transitions and the effects of the variation of coupling interaction within the transition zone. For Cs-H system, the calculated recombination and ion-pair-formation cross sections are compared with the existing theoretical calculations and experimental data. © 1978 The American Physical Society.