Effect of electron correlation in proton–helium collisions

Abstract

The four-body Born approximation is applied in post form to calculate the differential and total cross-sections for single electron capture from helium atoms by impact of the fast protons in the intermediate energy range. Theoretical results are obtained for hydrogen formation in ground state using full correlated accurate wave function for helium. The present results are compared with the results obtained from one parameter uncorrelated wave function to provide a clear visualization for the effect of electron correlation on the cross-sections. Comparison between the results for different wave functions shows the sensitivity of the processes on the electron–electron correlation especially at small scattering angles. The results are also compared with experimental data. The present calculated results show a general agreement with experimental finding for differential cross-sections and pursue the excellent trend with the measurement and other theoretical findings for total cross-sections.