Electron capture by fast He²⁺ions in gases

Abstract

Cross sections for single-electron capture by doubly charged helium ions ( sigma 21) have been measured in target gases H2, He and Ar. The He2+ energy range was 1-8 MeV, and the cross sections were measured by the initial-growth method. The measured values of sigma 21 are compared with semi-empirical estimates by Nikolaey (1967) and, in the He2+-on-He case, with more elaborate calculations by Belkic and Janey (1973), who used the continuum-distorted-wave approximation. Both theories show a good agreement with the present data.