Young-type interference in projectile-electron loss in energetic ion-molecule collisions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electron emission spectra in energetic ion-molecule collisions exhibit interference patterns analogous to optical slits, due to the localized molecular centers acting as coherent scattering sources.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of Young-type interference in projectile-electron loss, highlighting the role of molecular structure in collision-induced electron emission.

Findings

Interference effects depend on molecular geometry and collision conditions

Distinct interference patterns observed in electron emission spectra

Molecular centers act as coherent scattering sources similar to optical slits

Abstract

Under certain conditions an electron bound in a fast projectile-ion, colliding with a molecule, interacts mainly with the nuclei and inner shell electrons of atoms forming the molecule. Due to their compact localization in space and distinct separation from each other these molecular centers play in such collisions a role similar to that of optical slits in light scattering leading to pronounced interference in the spectra of the electron emitted from the projectile.