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Title: Coulomb path'' interference in low-energy ion-atom collisions

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters; (USA)
;  [1]; ; ; ;  [2]
  1. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 (US)
  2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6372 (USA)

A new interference mechanism, analogous to classic'' double-slit electron scattering, has been identified in low-energy ion-atom collisions. This Coulomb path'' interference results from the existence of two trajectories, indistinguishable with respect to laboratory energy and emission angle, along which ejected autoionizing electrons may be scattered by the attractive Coulomb potential of the slowly receding spectator ion. A simple semiclassical description is presented. Calculated model line shapes are in excellent ageement with the strong angular dependence of the interference structure observed in the He-target 2{ital s}{sup 2} {sup 1}{ital S} autoionizing line shape measured near 0{degree} following 10-keV He{sup +}+He collisions.

DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5865489
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters; (USA), Vol. 66:4; ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English