Interaction Energies, Charge Exchange Cross Sections, and Diffusion Cross Sections For N+–N and O+–O Collisions

Abstract

Potential energy curves for the lower electronic states of the N₂⁺ and O₂⁺ molecules have been obtained from a semiempirical valence bond method which makes use of available spectroscopic data. From these curves the probability of charge exchange has been calculated, and from this the charge‐exchange and diffusion cross sections. The cross sections for the O⁺–O collisions are in good agreement with the experimental values of Stebbings, but differ by about a factor of 3 from earlier theoretical estimates. Some consequences of this are discussed.