Electron capture cross sections from initially aligned p-state atoms

Total and partial cross sections for electron capture from excited H(2p) and Li(2p) by protons and α-particles at intermediate energies are calculated within the time-dependent close-coupling method. The total capture cross sections are found to be relatively insensitive to the target system, but strongly dependent on the projectile charge. Special emphasis is put on the system sensitivity of electron capture cross sections to the initial p-state charge cloud alignment. It turns out that the cross sections at intermediate energies are largest when the p-state is aligned parallel with the ion beam, independent of projectile and target system. (author)