Resonance recombination of spin-polarized atomic hydrogen at low temperatures

Abstract

In sufficiently large magnetic fields, the weakly bound levels of H2 acquire finite lifetimes owing to hyperfine predissociation and become manifest as scattering resonances in spin-polarized atomic hydrogen (H↓). In this work we investigate in detail the contribution to the reaction kinetics in H↓ due to the resonance, denoted [Formula: see text], arising from the predissociation of the (v,J) = (14,4) level of H2. To characterize the formation and disintegration of [Formula: see text], we calculate the predissociation as a function of both the applied magnetic field and the dissociation energy, D, of the level. Recombination occurs when [Formula: see text] is stabilized in collisions that cause transitions to lower molecular levels. For low H↓, densities, collisions with atoms of the saturated 4He vapour dominate; we calculate the cross section in the distorted wave Born approximation and also use a coupled-channels approach. At higher densities, stabilization occurs in collisions with H↓ as well; the effect of proton exchange between the atom and the molecule is derived. Previous experiments, analyzed neglecting proton exchange, are reanalyzed including this; the dissociation energy D is not as well determined by the data as was previously thought. Prospects for future experiments are discussed.