Electron transfer in collisions of keV hydrogen atoms and ions with methane

B. G. Lindsay, W. S. Yu, and R. F. Stebbings

J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 38 1977-1986 (2005)

Absolute differential cross sections are reported for electron capture and loss by 1-5 keV H atoms incident on CH₄ for laboratory scattering angles up to 1.62°, and for charge transfer of 0.5-5 keV H⁺ with CH₄ for scattering angles up to 2.09°. Electron-loss collisions are seen to result in comparatively large scattering angles and a very clear similarity exists between the present differential cross sections and those reported for other molecular targets. The present charge-transfer differential cross sections are consistent with that of Gao et al (1990) but not with the calculations of Kimura et al (1995). Prior experimental studies of electron-loss and charge-transfer are generally in good accord with the integral values reported here as are the calculations of Kusakabe et al (2000).