On the Galilean transformation of the few-electron wave functions

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how Galilean transformations affect few-electron atomic wave functions, comparing independent-electron models and correlated wave functions, with applications to ion formation probabilities during neutron-induced reactions.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Galilean transformations on various types of few-electron wave functions and applies this to nuclear reaction processes.

Findings

Transformation effects on independent-electron wave functions

Transformation effects on correlated wave functions

Application to ion formation probabilities

Abstract

The Galilean transformations of the few-electron atomic wave functions are considered. We discuss the few-electron wave functions constructed in the model of independent electrons as well as the truly correlated (or highly accurate) wave functions. Results of our analysis are applied to determine the probability of formation of the negatively charged tritium/protium ions during the nuclear $(n,{}^{3}$He$;t,p)-$reaction of the helium-3 atoms with thermal/slow neutrons.