Electron capture processes in the collision between rubidium ions and sodium neutral atoms by crossed molecular beams

Electron capture processes in the collision between rubidium ions and sodium metal atoms, leading to Rb(5 2P12,32) and Rb(6 2P12,32), have been studied by measuring the fluorescent emission of the excited species formed in a crossed beam experiment. Total cross sections have been determined in the 0.35–5.0 keV energy range. The [Rb(5 2P12,32) → Rb(5 2S12)] electronic transition has been resolved into its spin-orbit components and magnetic cross sections have been determined by polarization measurements. The total cross section for both channels have been interpreted by empirical fittings using a linear Landau-Zener-Stückelberg model and also by qualitative analysis of recent ab initio calculations.