SINGLE ELECTRON-CAPTURE FROM ALKALI ATOMS BY SLOW DOUBLY CHARGED IONS .2. NE-2+, AR-2+ (0.5-6KEV)-LI, NA, K - 2-ELECTRON PROCESSES

Single electron capture from the alkali atoms Li, Na, K by 0.5-6 keV Ne2+, Ar2+ has been studied, measuring both total cross sections and translational energy spectra. In these collision systems, especially at low impact energies the electron capture can be accompanied by a transition of an electron in the projectile core. Such two-electron processes are explained within a close coupling model as ’virtual two-step transitions’ involving electron-electron exchange interaction between the captured target electron and the projectile core electrons. © 1990, IOP Publishing Ltd.