Coding Cross Sections of an Electron Charge Transfer Process

Abstract

The paper presents the algorithm of a code written for computing the cross section for a charge transfer process involving a neutral molecule and a monatomic ion. The entrance and exit potential energy surfaces, driving the collision dynamics, are computed employing the Improved Lennard-Jones function that accounts for the role of non-electrostatic forces, due to size repulsion plus dispersion and induction attraction. In addition, electrostatic components, affecting the entrance channels, are evaluated as sum of Coulomb contributions, determined by the He$^+$ ion interacting with the charge distribution on the molecular frame. The cross section is estimated by employing the Landau-Zener-St\"uckelberg approach. The code implemented has been employed in systems involving helium cation and a small organic molecule, such as methanol, dimethyl ether and methyl formate.