Classical/quantal correspondence in state-selective charge transfer for partially stripped ion impact on atomic hydrogen: improvements to the CTMC method

Abstract

A method is developed that enables an improved correspondence of classically determined single-electron excited states ofpartially stripped ions with appropriate quantal states after charge transfer in ion-atom collisions. This paper extends the applicability and reliability of the classical trajectory Monte Carlo technique. The new method is illustrated by applying it to treat collisions of 5-500 keV u-1 O+ ions with atomic hydrogen. Expected significant deviations from the widely used correspondence scheme that is only strictly applicable to single-electron systems are found for low principal quantum numbers.