Semi-classical Over Barrier Model for low-velocity ion-atom charge exchange processes

Abstract

We develop an Over Barrier Model for computing charge exchange between ions and one-active-electron atoms at low impact energies. The main feature of the model is the treatment of the barrier crossing process by the electron within a simplified quantum mechanical formulation which takes into account: (a) the probability of electron reflection even for over-barrier scattering, and (b) the discreteness of the receiving atom's quantum levels which strongly suppress captures far from the resonance condition. It is shown that inclusion of these effects yields a fairly good prediction of experimental data. We discuss also the probability of electron re-capture by the target.