Thomas-forbidden particle capture

TL;DR

This paper investigates the possibility of particle capture in high-energy ion-atom collisions when classical double collision processes are forbidden, focusing on higher-order collision mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces the concept that triple or higher-order collisions can enable particle capture in cases where double collisions are kinematically forbidden.

Findings

Triple and higher-order collisions can facilitate particle capture when double collisions are forbidden.

Classical kinematic analysis reveals specific mass-ratio conditions for forbidden double collisions.

Higher-order processes expand the understanding of ion-atom collision dynamics.

Abstract

At high energies, in particle-capture processes between ions and atoms, classical kinematic requirements show that generally double collision Thomas processes dominate. However, for certain mass-ratios these processes are kinematically forbidden. This paper explores the possibility of capture for such processes by triple or higher order collision processes.