Fully Differential Study of Capture with Vibrational Dissociation in p+H_{2} Collisions

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Collision Physics

Background:

• Electron capture in ion-molecule collisions is fundamental to understanding chemical reactions and plasma physics.
• Previous studies have explored interference phenomena in atomic collisions, but less is known about molecular targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate electron capture in 75 keV proton (p) and hydrogen molecule (H2) collisions.
• To analyze the role of projectile coherence lengths and molecular orientation on collision dynamics.
• To identify and characterize different types of interference, specifically single- and molecular two-center interference.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of fully differential cross sections for electron capture.
• Utilizing different projectile coherence lengths for collision experiments.
• Acquiring data for two distinct molecular orientations.
• Analyzing the scattering angle dependence of the cross sections.

Main Results:

• Observed and identified both single- and molecular two-center interference.
• Found that the molecular two-center interference structure is phase-shifted by π compared to theoretical predictions.
• Reconfirmed the significant presence and influence of projectile coherence effects on the collision outcome.

Conclusions:

• Projectile coherence plays a crucial role in electron capture dynamics for p+H2 collisions.
• The observed phase shift in two-center interference provides new insights into the collision mechanism.
• Further theoretical and experimental work is needed to fully elucidate the observed interference patterns and coherence effects.