Nonadiabatic Transition in the Slow Collision between Heavy Particles

Abstract

Inelastic atom-atom collision is investigated under semi-classical condition by the use of perturbed stationary state method. Wave functions of the perturbed states of the system are expanded in terms of products of wave functions of isolated atoms. The expression for cross-section is derived, using these wave functions. Dependence of the cross-section on velocity is discussed. Further it is shown that the cross-section is expressed only in terms of the exact adiabatic potentials concerned. The obtained formula is applied to electron capture by α particles in hydrogen. Results of calculation are discussed and compared with the experimental data by Fite et al.