Self-consistent field classical-trajectory Monte Carlo calculations of doubly differential cross sections for bare ions incident on helium

Abstract

An initial-state self-consistent field formalism is incorporated into the classical-trajectory Monte Carlo method for computing doubly differential ion-atom collision cross sections and probabilities. The results of the calculations are presented and compared with corresponding results for a quantum-mechanical model potential and an effective Coulomb potential. The self-consistent field results are found to agree more closely with experimental results for small forward-angle ejection of electrons by 100 and 200 keV protons and 100 MeV Ne10+ ions incident on helium than the results for the other two potentials. The first classically computed cusp peak for the non-Coulomb target potential is also presented and found to agree reasonably well with experimental results for 225 keV protons colliding with helium.