Non-Elastic Processes in Atom Rydberg-Atom Collisions: Review of State of Art and Problems

TL;DR

This review discusses how inelastic processes like chemi-ionization and (n-n') mixing in Rydberg-atom collisions influence each other, emphasizing the significant impact of (n-n') mixing on chemi-ionization rates, especially at lower Rydberg states.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding and problems related to inelastic processes in Rydberg-atom collisions, highlighting the influence of (n-n') mixing on chemi-ionization.

Findings

(n-n') mixing significantly affects chemi-ionization rate coefficients.

The influence of (n-n') mixing varies across different Rydberg states.

Two methods for describing inelastic processes are discussed.

Abstract

In our previous research, it has been demonstrated that such inelastic processes in atom Rydberg-atom collisions, as chemi-ionization and (n-n') mixing, should be considered together. Here we will review the present state of the art and the actual problems will be discussed. In this context, we will consider the influence of the (n-n')-mixing during a symmetric atom Rydberg-atom collision processes on the intensity of chemi-ionization process. It will be taken into account H(1s) + H*(n) collisional systems, where the principal quantum number n $>>$ 1. It will be demonstrated that the inclusion of (n-n') mixing in the calculation, influences significantly on the values of chemi-ionization rate coefficients, particularly in the lower part of the block of the Rydberg states. Different possible channels of the (n-n')-mixing influence on chemi-ionization rate coefficients will be demonstrated. The possibility of interpretation of the (n-n')-mixing influence will be considered on the basis of two existing methods for describing of the inelastic processes in symmetrical atom Rydberg-atom collisions.