Time evolution of orbital polarization in slow ion—atom collisions

We examine the time evolution of orbital polarization in slow ion—atom collisions allowing for the coupling of electronic and nuclear motions in an eikonal/time-dependent Hartree—Fock approximation. Results of integral alignment parameters in collisions of a proton with the hydrogen atom agree with experiments and other theoretical treatments, and confirm the measured behaviour at low velocities. The time dependence of all the differential orientation and alignment parameters show oscillations of the target electronic density around the slowly rotating internuclear axis.