Ion-ion capture collisions in the continuum distorted-wave approximation

The continuum distorted-wave approximation of Cheshire (1964) is applied to the case in which a nucleus of charge Z' captures an electron attached to another nucleus of charge Z. Numerical results for the total capture cross sections have been obtained for the particular cases of electron capture from the targets He + , Li 2+ , Be 3+ and C 5+ by protons into the ground state or the excited 2s state. Capture by alpha particles from He + , Li 2+ and Be 3+ into the ground state or the excited 2s state are also considered. Wherever possible comparisons are made with the Coulomb-Born results.