K-shell single-electron capture in collision of fast protons with multi-electron atoms

Single-electron capture from the K shell of atomic targets by impact of protons at moderate and high energies has been studied using a first-order three-body Coulomb-Born continuum distorted wave approximation. The applied formalism satisfies the correct Coulomb boundary conditions. Single-zeta Roothaan-Hartree-Fock wave functions are used to describe the initial electronic bound state of the exchanged electron. Both differential and integral capture cross sections are calculated for impact of protons on carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, neon and argon atoms. The results are compared with the available measurements and other theories. The agreement between the calculations and experimental data is remarkable.

Incorporation of Threshold Phenomena in Three-body Coulomb Continuum Wavefunctions

In this work a three-body Coulomb wavefunction for the description of two continuum electrons moving in the field of a nucleus is constructed such that the Wannier threshold law for double escape is reproduced and the asymptotic Coulomb boundary conditions as well as the Kato cusp conditions are satisfied. It is shown that the absolute value of the total cross section, as well as the spin asymmetry, are well described by the present approach. Further, the excess-energy sharing between the two escaping electrons is calculated and analysed in light of the Wannier theory predictions. This is the first time an analytical three-body wavefunction is presented which is asymptotically exact and capable of describing threshold phenomena.

The Electron - Atom Ionisation Problem

Methods of calculating electron–atom ionisation as a three-body problem with Coulomb boundary conditions are considered. In the absence of a fully-valid computational method for a time-independent experiment the approximation is made that the incident electron experiences a screened potential. Approximations involving a final state that obeys the three-body Coulomb boundary condition are compared with the distorted-wave Born approximation and the convergent close-coupling method.