ION COLLISIONS IN VERY STRONG ELECTRIC-FIELDS

A classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) simulation has been made of charge exchange and ionization processes between a hydrogen atom and f ully stripped ions embedded in very strong static electric fields (of order of 10(10) V m(-1)), which are thought to exist in cosmic and las er-produced plasmas. Calculations show that the presence of the field affects absolute values of the cross sections, enhancing ionization an d reducing charge exchange. Moreover, the overall effect depends upon the relative orientation between the field and the nuclear motion. Oth er features of a null-field situation, such as scaling laws, are revis ited.