Interactions of H— Ions and H Atoms with Ne, A, and H2

Abstract

Previous work on the systems H^—–He and H–He serves as a model for the calculation of the interactions of H^— ions and H atoms with Ne, A, and H₂ from an analysis of beam scattering measurements. It is shown that a mutually consistent interpretation can be developed on the assumption that the forces are repulsive in the region of interest. The H^— ion elastic scattering cross sections are used to calculate the interactions of H^— with Ne, A, and H₂, and the electron detachment cross sections are used to locate the points at which these potential energy curves cross the corresponding curves for H atoms. The crossing points are shown to be consistent with potential energy curves for the interactions of H atoms with Ne, A, and H₂ obtained directly or indirectly from independent scattering measurements involving beams of H atoms. The crossing points are used to extend these potential energy curves over a wider range of validity than previously available. Such a mutually consistent picture does not seem to emerge when attractive forces are assumed for the H^— interactions.