Electron capture by slow Fe/sup q/+ ions from hydrogen atoms and molecules

Total electron-capture cross sections have been measured for collisions of Fe/sup q/+ ions (3< or =q< or =14) with H and H2 at energies in the 10--95 eV/amu range. The cross sections increase approximately linearly with increasing ionic charge q, and, for atomic hydrogen, can be represented by the empirical formula: sigma = q x 10-15 cm2 with an rms deviation of +- 26%. For Fe5+ and Fe6+, for which higher-energy data exist, the cross sections are found to be essentially energy independent over the range 17<E<2000 eV/amu. The cross sections for an atomic H target average 26% larger than for H2. Agreement with generalized theoretical models is within a factor of 2 or better