Electron detachment from negative ions: The effects of isotopic substitution

Absolute total electron-detachment cross sections and relative elastic-scattering cross sections are presented for collisions of H^- (D^-) + He, Ne, Ar, N₂ for collision energies ranging from about 2 eV up to 100 eV. Special emphasis has been given to the effect of isotopic substitution. It was found that, with the exception of the helium target, the results cannot be in accord with a model using a localized complex potential. On the other hand, the results for H^- (D^-) + He are in excellent agreement with predictions based upon a previous (local complex potential) analysis of differential elastic-scattering measurements.