The effective cross section for the H-2(+) + H-2(+) --> H-3(+) + p reaction
in the energy range 5.7-11.5 eV is measured by the split beam method. The
cross-section maximum at an energy of -8 eV is related to the production of
the H-4(++) compound system. The reaction threshold W-thr approximate to 5
eV provides evidence in favor of the classical model with the H-2(+) ion c
harge fixed on one of the two nuclei during the entire collision event. (C)
2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".