Low collision energy mutual neutralization reaction of He+ and H−

Abstract A Semi-classical Landau-Zener model is employed to theoretically study mutual neutralization in the collisions of 4He+ and H−/D−. The model includes ten covalent states and an ion-pair state of 2Σ+ symmetry for the HeH molecular system. Here the assumption is that only two states are interacting at a given internuclear position. In the diabatic representation, the nuclear dynamics relevant for mutual neutralization is modelled for collision energies below 100 eV. The mutual neutralization reaction cross section and final states distribution are computed and compared with previous theoretical and experimental results.