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Title: Electron-impact ionization of the boron atom

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849 (United States)

Accurate knowledge of the electron-impact ionization of the B atom is urgently needed in current fusion plasma experiments to help design ITER wall components. Since no atomic measurements exist, nonperturbative time-dependent close-coupling (TDCC) calculations are carried out to accurately determine the direct ionization cross sections of the outer two subshells of B. Perturbative distorted-wave and semiempirical binary encounter calculations are found to yield cross sections from 26% lower to an order of magnitude higher than the current TDCC results. Unlike almost all neutral atoms, large excitation-autoionization contributions are found for the B atom. Nonperturbative R matrix with pseudostates (RMPS) calculations are also carried out to accurately determine the total ionization cross section of B. Previous 60 LS-term RMPS calculations are found to yield cross sections up to 40% higher than the current more extensive 476 LS-term RMPS results.

OSTI ID:
21020724
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Vol. 76, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.76.042704; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English