Continuum Distorted Wave and Wannier Methods

Abstract

The continuum distorted wave model has been extensively applied to charge transfer and ionization processes. We present both the perturbative and variational capture theories as well as highlighting the suitability of this model in describing the continuum final states in both heavy and light particle ionization for both atomic and molecular targets. Particular emphasis will be put in the application of distorted wave theories to the description of recent complete experiments. We then develop the Wannier theory for threshold ionization and further theoretical work that led to the modern quantal semiclassical approximation. This very successful theory has provided the first absolute cross sections that are in good agreement with experiment. The present work is based on the previous one conceived by Crothers et al. 1 . Only a few minor modifications in the text have been introduced, and a complete subsection has been added in order to take into account the state of art of the subject.