State-Selective Electron Capture by He 2+ Ions from Laser-Excited Na*(3 p )

Abstract
State-selective single-electron capture in slow (1.5 keV/a.m.u.) collisions of He2+ ions with laser-excited Na*(3p) atoms has been investigated by means of translational energy spectroscopy. Laser-prepared excitation of the target atoms changes drastically in the final-state distribution of the electron capture process as compared to the ground-state target atoms. For the excited Na*(3p) target atoms strong enhancement has been found for capture into He+(n = 4) and He+ (n = 5) states, while capture into He+ (n = 3) (i.e. the dominant final state for capture from Na(3s)) decreased significantly.