Electron-capture cross sections for low-energy highly charged neon and argon ions from molecular and atomic hydrogen

Electron-capture cross sections for low-velocity (10⁶--10⁷ cm/s) highly charged Neq+ (2{≤}q{≤}7) and Arq+ (2{≤}q{≤}10) projectiles incident on molecular- and atomic-hydrogen targets have been measured. A recoil-ion source that used the collisions of fast heavy ions (1 MeV/amu) with target gas atoms was utilized to produce slow highly charged ions. Atomic hydrogen was produced by dissociating hydrogen molecules in a high-temperature oven. Measurements and analysis of the data for molecular- and atomic-hydrogen targets are discussed in detail. The measured absolute cross sections are compared with published data and predictions of theoretical models.