Electron-impact ionization of Al2 +

Abstract

We report on a nonperturbative R-matrix with PseudoStates (RMPS) calculation for the electron-impact ionization cross section of the ground state of Al2 +. We include both the direct ionization of the 3s and 2p subshells and the indirect ionization from the 2p subshell. This calculation, thus, includes extra decay channels for the indirect-ionization process not included in previous RMPS calculations. This lowers the total-ionization cross section, resulting in closer agreement with the most recent experimental measurements. This calculation also shows better agreement with the position and height of the resonant-excitation double autoionization features seen in the experiment. © 2012 American Physical Society.