Destruction of Metastable Helium Atoms in Binary Collisions

Abstract

A theoretical calculation of the total cross section of the destruction of metastable helium atoms $\mathrm{He}{\text{(2}}^3\mathrm{S)}$ by ionization has been performed by means of the impact parameter method with a number of suitable approximations. The cross section obtained is of the order of ${10}^2{a}_0^2$ , which is in good agreement with the experimental order of magnitude of Phelps and Molnar, and shows the error in the theoretical calculation of von Roos.