Double differential cross sections for ionization of H by 75 keV proton impact: Assessing the role of correlated wave functions*

Abstract

The effect of final-state dynamic correlation is investigated for ionization of atomic hydrogen by 75-keV proton impact by analyzing double differential cross sections. The final state is represented by a continuum correlated wave (CCW-PT) function which accounts for the interaction between the projectile and the target nucleus (PT interaction). The correlated final state is nonseparable solutions of the wave equation combining the dynamics of the electron motion relative to the target and projectile, satisfying the Redmond’s asymptotic conditions corresponding to long range interactions. The transition matrix is evaluated using the CCW-PT function and the undistorted initial state. Both the correlation effects and the PT interaction are analyzed by the present calculations. The convergence of the continuous correlated final state is examined carefully. Our results are compared with the absolute experimental data measured by Laforge et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 053201 (2009)] and Schulz et al. [Phys. Rev. A 81, 052705 (2010)], as well as other theoretical models (especially the results of the latest non perturbation theory). We have shown that the dynamic correlation plays an important role in the ionization of atomic hydrogen by proton impact. While overall agreement between theory and the experimental data is encouraging, detailed agreement is still lacking. However, such an analysis is meaningful because it provides valuable information about the dynamical correlation and PT interaction in the CCW-PT theoretical model.