Time-dependent close-coupling calculations of dielectronic capture in He

Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Apr 29;88(17):173004. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.173004. Epub 2002 Apr 15.

Abstract

We report on the first time-dependent close-coupling calculation of dielectronic capture into a doubly excited state of a two-electron atom. An incoming electron is represented by a Gaussian wave packet which collides with singly ionized helium in its ground state. The close-coupling equations describe the propagation of the total compound wave function on a two-dimensional radial lattice. By projecting this wave function onto a doubly excited state of neutral helium, we can determine the probability amplitude for dielectronic capture into one of these states and the subsequent autoionization from it.