Theory of Dissociative Ionization Processes

A quantum mechanical theory for the ℏ ω + A B → A + B + + e -three body breakup ispresented. The theory is based on the Continuum Coupled Channels expansion (CCC)in which the three body wave-function is expanded in terms of square integrable and(flux carrying) continuum states. The theory consistently treats the accompanyingprocesses of three body inelastic collisions, dissociative attachment and Penning ionization.Applications to the dissociative photoionization of H 2 and HD are presented.The relevant equations are solved exactly using the Artificial Channel method. Excellentagreement is obtained with experiment, concerning the proton kinetic energydistribution.