Observation of MeV DissociativeH2+Ions Emerging from Very Thin Foils

Abstract

We present angle and energy distributions of H atoms emerging from thin carbon foils bombarded with MeV ${\mathrm{H}}_2^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}_3^{+}$ beams. If the target is thin enough, a projectile electron can participate in the formation of a neutral atom at emergence through dissociation of a vibrationally excited ${\mathrm{H}}_2^{+}$ molecule. This process is not observable with thicker targets when the formation of a neutral requires the capture of a target electron. The results suggest that electrons can be bound to the projectile inside the solid.