Single electron ionization of NH3 and CH4 by swift proton impact

Abstract

Single ionization from ammonia and methane molecules by impact of protons is analysed. Double differential cross sections are calculated, within the post- and prior-versions of the continuum distorted wave-eikonal initial state (CDW-EIS) model, considering two different representations of the initial bound state of the active electron. A comparison between both set of results shows a very little sensitivity of the double differential cross sections to the initial state representation in the case of ammonia molecules. On the other hand, discrepancies are found when CH4 molecular target is considered, showing that in this case the description of the corresponding molecular orbitals influences the cross section calculations.