Charge transfer between N/+/ and H

Abstract

The charge transfer reaction N/+) + H yields N + H(+) affects the ionization structure of nitrogen in astrophysical nebulae. The cross sections for the reaction are calculated on the assumption that it proceeds by a spin-orbit coupling between the a4Sigma(-) and x2Pi states of NH(+). The quantal distorted wave approximation is employed, and the distorted wave equations are solved by numerical integration. The rate coefficient is 1.0 x 10 to the -12th cu cm/s at a temperature of 10,000 K, a value substantially smaller than an earlier theoretical estimate based upon the orbiting approximation but in harmony with empirical determinations.