Theoretical investigation of the production of atomic and molecular ions in collisions between two excited alkali atoms

Cross sections for various ionising processes occurring in collisions between excited alkali atoms are calculated. The method is derived from a previously developed impulse-type treatment. The authors show that reasonable simplification arises in the thermal energy range leading to very simple expressions for the cross sections. Moreover, it is demonstrated that such a method allows one to treat various ionising processes. In view of its simplicity the agreement obtained with the available data appears satisfactory.