New light shed on charge transfer in fundamental H+ + H2 collisions

There is no consensus on the magnitude and shape of the charge transfer cross section in low-energy H++H2 collisions, in spite of the fundamental importance of these collisions. Experiments have thus been carried out in the energy range 15≤E≤5000 eV. The measurements invalidate previous recommended data for E≤200 eV and confirm the existence of a local maximum around 45 eV, which was predicted theoretically. Additionally, vibrationally resolved cross sections allow us to investigate the evolution of the underlying charge transfer mechanism as a function of EWe acknowledge financial support from Project No. ENE2011-28200 (Secretaría de Estado de I + D + i, Spain), the F. R. S.-FNRS under I. I. S. N. Contract No. 4.4504.10, the Association Euratom-Belgian State, and the National Science Foundation under Grant No. PHY-106887