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Differential double-excitation cross sections in 50--150-keV proton-helium collisions

Journal Article · · Physical Review A; (United States)
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics and the Laboratory for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Research, University of Missouri-Rolla, Rolla, Missouri 65401 (United States)

We have measured projectile-energy-loss spectra for 50-, 100-, and 150-keV [ital p]+He collisions. From the data we obtained differential double-excitation cross sections as a function of projectile scattering angle. At 150 keV a pronounced peak structure was observed at about 0.7 mrad for double excitation to the (2[ital p][sup 2]) [sup 1][ital D] and (2[ital s]2[ital p]) [sup 1][ital P] states. Our data provide indications for the dominance of a first-order mechanism involving the electron-electron interaction in double excitation for 150 keV at small scattering angles. At lower projectile energies and larger scattering angles a second-order mechanism appears to be of the same order of magnitude as the first-order mechanism. In these regimes, interference effects between the first- and second-order mechanisms could be important.

OSTI ID:
6584817
Journal Information:
Physical Review A; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review A; (United States) Vol. 51:3; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English