Spatial dependence of electron transfer from optically prepared states: Li++Na(3p)-> Li(2p)+Na+

This paper reports experimental and theoretical results for the influence o f optical target preparation on electron transfer for Li-6(+)-Na(3p) collis ions at an impact energy of 1 keV. The spatial pattern of the scattered neu trals is strongly forwardly peaked, with typical scattering angles of less than 0.05 degrees. The results reveal pronounced spatial anisotropies, stro ngly dependent on the initial target preparation. In particular, when a p o rbital is prepared aligned along the direction of the incident ion beam, el ectron transfer is much more efficient than for the perpendicular orbital g eometry. Furthermore, if the orbital is tilted by 45 degrees with respect t o the incident beam direction, a strong left-right scattering asymmetry is observed, with more neutrals being scattered to the side to which the orbit al is pointing than in the opposite direction; A complete set of density ma trix parameters has been determined for the channels corresponding to elect ron transfer, which at this energy is predominantly into the Li(2p) levels. There is good overall agreement between experimental observations and theo retical predictions based on the coupled channel impact parameter method us ing a 28 state molecular basis (Machholm M et al 1994 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 27 4681), and a 26 or 35 state atomic basis, the results of whic h are presented.