Differential Single-Capture Cross Sections for Fast Alpha–Helium Collisions

A four-body theoretical study of the single charge transfer process in collision of energetic alpha ions with helium atoms in their ground states is presented. The model utilizes the Coulomb–Born distorted wave approximation with correct boundary conditions to calculate the single-electron capture differential and integral cross sections. The influence of the dynamic and static electron correlations on the capture probability is investigated. The results of the calculations are compared with the recent experimental measurements for differential cross sections and with the other theoretical manipulations. The results for scattering at extreme forward angles are in good agreement with the experimental measurements, but in other scattering angles the agreement is poor. However, the present four-body results for integral cross sections are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.