Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: The investigation of cold interactions between ions and neutrals has recently emerged as a new scientific frontier at the interface of physics and chemistry. Here, we report a study of charge-transfer (CT) collisions of Rb atoms with N[Formula: see text] and O[Formula: see text] ions in the mK regime using a dynamic ion-neutral hybrid trapping experiment. We observe markedly different CT kinetics and dynamics for the different systems and reaction channels studied. While the kinetics in some channels are consistent with classical capture theory, others show distinct non-universal dynamics. The experimental results are interpreted with the help of classical-capture, quasiclassical-trajectory and quantum-scattering calculations using ab-initio potentials for the highly excited molecular states involved. The theoretical analysis reveals an intricate interplay between short- and long-range effects in the different reaction channels which ultimately determines the CT dynamics and rates. Our results illustrate salient mechanisms that determine the efficiency of cold molecular CT reactions.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Alexander D. Dörfler, Pascal Eberle, Debasish Koner, Michał Tomza, Markus Meuwly, Stefan Willitsch
Institutions: University of Basel, University of Warsaw
Language: English
Topic: Atomic and Molecular Physics
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,200
OpenAlex ID: W2954697553