Distorted-wave models for single-electron capture from molecular targets by the impact of bare ions

Electron capture from diatomic molecular targets by the impact of bare ions is studied at high collision velocities. Different distorted-wave models, which take account of the long-range Coulombic behavior of perturbative potentials, are introduced here. Impact-parameter probabilities and single-differential cross sections, depending on the alignment of the intermolecular axis, are studied for H⁺+H₂⁺ collisions. Interference patterns characteristic of scattering from the two molecular centers associated with each one of the nuclei of the target are obtained. Total cross sections, summed over all possible alignments of the intermolecular axis, are also calculated for the H⁺+H₂ system for which experimental data exist.