Universal shape function for the double ionization cross section of negative ions by electron impact

Abstract

It is shown that recently measured cross sections for double ionization of negative ions ($H^-, O^-$, and $C^-$) possess a universal shape when plotted in suitable dimensionless units. The shape can be represented with a simple analytical function, following the same principles as it has been done in establishing a universal shape function for single ionization [Rost and Pattard 1997 Phys. Rev. A {\bf 55} R5]. Thereby, it is demonstrated that direct double ionization dominates the cross section for the targets considered.