Manipulating Atomic Fragmentation Processes by Controlling the Projectile Coherence

Author

Kisra N. Egodapitiya
Sachin D. Sharma
Ahmad Hasan, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Aaron C. Laforge
Don H. Madison, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Robert Moshammer
Michael Schulz, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

We have measured the scattering angle dependence of cross sections for ionization in p+H₂ collisions for a fixed projectile energy loss. Depending on the projectile coherence, interference due to indistinguishable diffraction of the projectile from the two atomic centers was either present or absent in the data. This shows that, due to the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, the preparation of the beam must be included in theoretical calculations. The results have far-reaching implications on formal atomic scattering theory because this critical aspect has been overlooked for several decades.

Recommended Citation

K. N. Egodapitiya et al., "Manipulating Atomic Fragmentation Processes by Controlling the Projectile Coherence," Physical Review Letters, vol. 106, no. 15, pp. 153202-1 - 153202-4, American Physical Society (APS), Apr 2011.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.153202

Department(s)

Physics

Keywords and Phrases

Atomic centers; Atomic scattering; Cross section; Fragmentation process; Projectile energy; Scattering angles; Theoretical calculations; Atoms; Energy dissipation; Projectiles; Quantum theory; Coherent scattering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0031-9007

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 American Physical Society (APS), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Apr 2011