Elastic and inelastic processes in H+ + CH2 collisions below the 1.5 keV regime

Electron capture and direct elastic scattering in collisions of H+ ions with CH2 molecules between 0.5 and 1.5 keV are theoretically investigated. A molecular representation is adopted within a fully quantum-mechanical approach. Differential cross sections (DCSs) for elastic scattering and electron capture are calculated at 1.5 keV and 0.5 keV for different molecular orientations. Our results indicate that electron capture dynamics and corresponding electron-capture cross sections depend substantially on the molecular orientation, thus revealing a strong steric effect. (author)