Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:0911.1746 · Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Environment assisted electron capture

Kirill Gokhberg, Lorenz S Cederbaum

Published Nov 18, 2009• 46 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Electron capture by isolated atoms and ions proceeds by photorecombination. In this process, a species captures a free electron by emitting a photon which carries away the excess energy. It is shown here that in the presence of an environment a competing non-radiative electron capture process can take place due to long range electron correlation. In this interatomic (intermolecular) process the excess energy is transferred to neighbouring species. The asymptotic expression for the cross section of this process is derived. We demonstrate by explicit examples that under realizable conditions, the cross section of this interatomic process can clearly dominate that of photorecombination.

DOI
10.1088/0953-4075/42/23/231001

Related papers

Resonantly enhanced photoionization in correlated three-atomic systems

Bennaceur Najjari, C Müller, A B Voitkiv

Modifications of photoionization arising from resonant electron–electron correlations between neighbouring atoms in an atomic sample are studied. The sample contains atomic species A and B , with the ionization potential of A being smaller than the energy of a dipole-allowed transition in B . The atoms are subject to an external radiation field which is near resonant with the dipole transition in B . Photoionization of an atom A may thus proceed via a two-step mechanism: photoexcitation in the subsystem of species B , followed by interatomic Coulombic decay. As a basic atomic configuration, we investigate resonant photoionization in a three-atomic system A – B – B consisting of an atom A and two neighbouring atoms B . It is found that, under suitable conditions, the presence of neighbouring atoms can strongly affect the photoionization process, including its total probability, time development and photoelectron spectra. In particular, comparing our results with those for photoionization of an isolated atom A and a two-atomic system A – B , respectively, we reveal the characteristic impact made by the third atom.

arXiv:1203.2038•New Journal of Physics•Oct 29, 2012•8 citations

Resonantly enhanced photoionization in correlated three-atomic systems

Bennaceur Najjari, Müller, C., Voitkiv, A.

Modifications of photoionization arising from resonant electron-electron correlations between neighbouring atoms in an atomic sample are studied. The sample contains atomic species A and B, with the ionization potential of A being smaller than the energy of a dipole-allowed transition in B. The atoms are subject to an external radiation field which is near-resonant with the dipole transition in B. Photoionization of an atom A may thus proceed via a two-step mechanism: photoexcitation in the subsystem of species B, followed by interatomic Coulombic decay. As a basic atomic configuration, we investigate resonant photoionization in a three-atomic system A-B-B, consisting of an atom A and two neighbouring atoms B. It is found that, under suitable conditions, the influence of the neighbouring atoms can strongly affect the photoionization process, including its total probabilty, time development and photoelectron spectra. In particular, by comparing our results with those for photoionization of an isolated atom A and a two-atomic system A-B, respectively, we reveal the characteristic impact exerted by the third atom.

•Oct 29, 2012•7 citations

Electron Dynamics of Interatomic Coulombic Electron Capture in Artificial and Real Atoms

Axel Molle

Interatomic coulombic electron capture is a non-local process involving the environment-assisted attachment of a free electron with implied consequences for various systems. Starting from the established numerical model of quantum confinements in a nanowire, this dissertation sets out to deduce model-independent hypotheses for future investigations of theoretical or experimental nature and develops a generalised adaptation of the model to test whether the effective-two-electron treatment suffices to successfully capture a free electron in the experimentally motivated system of a barium (II) cation engulfed in a Bose-Einstein condensate of neutral rubidium atoms. Appearing associated to differing electronic states of the confinement region, two subprocesses can contrast in spatial preferences and resonant energies. For the investigated range of parameters, the energy levels of these associated states suggest to provide a starting point for a more comprehensive description beyond the particular parameters of an individual model. A rather simple electric dipole-dipole coupled adaptation of the model is then able to successfully show environment assisted electron attachment to a barium (II) cation aided by a surrounding cloud of ultracold rubidium atoms in typical experimental conditions.

•Jan 1, 2019•2 citations

Where to Find ICEC? - Screening 2442 Systems for Interparticle Coulombic Electron Capture

Fabian L. Hofmann, Elena M. Jahr, Elke Fasshauer

Interparticle Coulombic Electron Capture (ICEC) provides an environment-assisted pathway for electron attachment that can compete with photorecombination. Here, we present the first comprehensive survey of ICEC in atom-atom and atom-molecule systems, screening 2442 combinations in search of promising candidates for future experimental investigation. We employ the efficient asymptotic approximation to predict ICEC cross sections and electron spectra. Intramolecular nuclear motion is included, while interparticle nuclear dynamics is neglected to permit an extensive survey. We identify several classes of atom-atom and atom-molecule systems with favourable ICEC cross sections and ICEC-to-photorecombination ratios, including halogen-halide systems and systems involving a proton and diatomic molecules such as N$_2$, O$_2$, CO, and NO. These findings point to atmospheric and astrochemical environments in which ICEC may be relevant.

physics.chem-phCross-listedarXiv:2607.26116•Jul 29, 2026

Resonant single-photon double ionization driven by combined intra- and interatomic electron correlations

A Eckey, A B Voitkiv, C Müller

Abstract The double ionization of an atom by single-photon absorption in the presence of a neighbouring atom is studied. The latter is, first, resonantly photoexcited and, afterwards, transfers the excitation energy radiationlessly to the other atom, leading to its double ionization. The process relies on the combined effect of interatomic and intra-atomic electron correlations. It can dominate over the direct double photoionization by several orders of magnitude at interatomic distances up to a few nanometers. The relative position of the neighbouring atom is shown to exert a characteristic influence on the angular distribution of emitted electrons.

arXiv:1906.08123•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Nov 29, 2019•9 citations

Two-center resonant photoionization-excitation driven by combined intra- and interatomic electron correlations

S Kim, S Steinhäuser, Alexander B Voitkiv +1 more

Abstract Ionization-excitation of an atom induced by the absorption of a single photon in the presence of a neighboring atom is studied. The latter is, first, resonantly photoexcited and, afterwards, transfers the excitation energy radiationlessly to the other atom, leading to its ionization with simultaneous excitation. The process relies on the combined effects of interatomic and intraatomic electron correlations. Under suitable conditions, it can dominate by several orders of magnitude over direct photoionization-excitation and even over direct photoionization. In addition, we briefly discuss another kind of two-center resonant photoionization with excitation where the ionization and residual excitation in the final state are located at different atomic sites.

arXiv:2309.01143•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Jan 30, 2024•0 citations
Electron capture by isolated atoms and ions proceeds by photorecombination. In this process, a species captures a free electron by emitting a photon which carries away the excess energy. It is shown here that in the presence of an environment a competing non-radiative electron capture process can take place due to long range electron correlation. In this interatomic (intermolecular) process the excess energy is transferred to neighbouring species. The asymptotic expression for the cross section of this process is derived. We demonstrate by explicit examples that under realizable conditions, the cross section of this interatomic process can clearly dominate that of photorecombination.
Modifications of photoionization arising from resonant electron–electron correlations between neighbouring atoms in an atomic sample are studied. The sample contains atomic species A and B , with the ionization potential of A being smaller than the energy of a dipole-allowed transition in B . The atoms are subject to an external radiation field which is near resonant with the dipole transition in B . Photoionization of an atom A may thus proceed via a two-step mechanism: photoexcitation in the subsystem of species B , followed by interatomic Coulombic decay. As a basic atomic configuration, we investigate resonant photoionization in a three-atomic system A – B – B consisting of an atom A and two neighbouring atoms B . It is found that, under suitable conditions, the presence of neighbouring atoms can strongly affect the photoionization process, including its total probability, time development and photoelectron spectra. In particular, comparing our results with those for photoionization of an isolated atom A and a two-atomic system A – B , respectively, we reveal the characteristic impact made by the third atom.
Modifications of photoionization arising from resonant electron-electron correlations between neighbouring atoms in an atomic sample are studied. The sample contains atomic species A and B, with the ionization potential of A being smaller than the energy of a dipole-allowed transition in B. The atoms are subject to an external radiation field which is near-resonant with the dipole transition in B. Photoionization of an atom A may thus proceed via a two-step mechanism: photoexcitation in the subsystem of species B, followed by interatomic Coulombic decay. As a basic atomic configuration, we investigate resonant photoionization in a three-atomic system A-B-B, consisting of an atom A and two neighbouring atoms B. It is found that, under suitable conditions, the influence of the neighbouring atoms can strongly affect the photoionization process, including its total probabilty, time development and photoelectron spectra. In particular, by comparing our results with those for photoionization of an isolated atom A and a two-atomic system A-B, respectively, we reveal the characteristic impact exerted by the third atom.
Interatomic coulombic electron capture is a non-local process involving the environment-assisted attachment of a free electron with implied consequences for various systems. Starting from the established numerical model of quantum confinements in a nanowire, this dissertation sets out to deduce model-independent hypotheses for future investigations of theoretical or experimental nature and develops a generalised adaptation of the model to test whether the effective-two-electron treatment suffices to successfully capture a free electron in the experimentally motivated system of a barium (II) cation engulfed in a Bose-Einstein condensate of neutral rubidium atoms. Appearing associated to differing electronic states of the confinement region, two subprocesses can contrast in spatial preferences and resonant energies. For the investigated range of parameters, the energy levels of these associated states suggest to provide a starting point for a more comprehensive description beyond the particular parameters of an individual model. A rather simple electric dipole-dipole coupled adaptation of the model is then able to successfully show environment assisted electron attachment to a barium (II) cation aided by a surrounding cloud of ultracold rubidium atoms in typical experimental conditions.
Interparticle Coulombic Electron Capture (ICEC) provides an environment-assisted pathway for electron attachment that can compete with photorecombination. Here, we present the first comprehensive survey of ICEC in atom-atom and atom-molecule systems, screening 2442 combinations in search of promising candidates for future experimental investigation. We employ the efficient asymptotic approximation to predict ICEC cross sections and electron spectra. Intramolecular nuclear motion is included, while interparticle nuclear dynamics is neglected to permit an extensive survey. We identify several classes of atom-atom and atom-molecule systems with favourable ICEC cross sections and ICEC-to-photorecombination ratios, including halogen-halide systems and systems involving a proton and diatomic molecules such as N2_22​, O2_22​, CO, and NO. These findings point to atmospheric and astrochemical environments in which ICEC may be relevant.
Abstract The double ionization of an atom by single-photon absorption in the presence of a neighbouring atom is studied. The latter is, first, resonantly photoexcited and, afterwards, transfers the excitation energy radiationlessly to the other atom, leading to its double ionization. The process relies on the combined effect of interatomic and intra-atomic electron correlations. It can dominate over the direct double photoionization by several orders of magnitude at interatomic distances up to a few nanometers. The relative position of the neighbouring atom is shown to exert a characteristic influence on the angular distribution of emitted electrons.
Abstract Ionization-excitation of an atom induced by the absorption of a single photon in the presence of a neighboring atom is studied. The latter is, first, resonantly photoexcited and, afterwards, transfers the excitation energy radiationlessly to the other atom, leading to its ionization with simultaneous excitation. The process relies on the combined effects of interatomic and intraatomic electron correlations. Under suitable conditions, it can dominate by several orders of magnitude over direct photoionization-excitation and even over direct photoionization. In addition, we briefly discuss another kind of two-center resonant photoionization with excitation where the ionization and residual excitation in the final state are located at different atomic sites.