Theoretical investigation of the production of 2s vacancies in Ne+-Ne collisions using a quasi-molecule model

Within the frame of the Fano-Lichten model two mechanisms are possible for the production of 2s holes in Ne+-Ne collisions. The first mechanism is a rotational coupling between two crossing molecular orbitals. The second is a radial coupling between two molecular orbitals with a pseudo-crossing. Using ab initio wavefunctions the appropriate coupling matrix elements are calculated and used in two-state impact-parameter approximations. The magnitude of the measured cross sections for energies up to 300 keV can be explained within this model.