Evolution of electronic probability density in<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>α</mml:mi></mml:math>-H collisions

Abstract

The evolving electronic probability density in 1-8-keV $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-H collisions has been calculated and graphed. This density is the modulus squared of the time-dependent electronic wave function in the previous coupled-molecular-state calculations of Winter, Hatton, and Lane without and with plane-wave translational factors. New, larger-basis results are also presented. The mechanism for electron transfer and the extent of sensitivity to the choice and size of the molecular basis are clearly seen in these graphs of the electron cloud.