ΣOscillations and Spin Change during Charge Exchange in Ar+ on Ar

Abstract
This Letter reports a first measurement of the fast oscillations in Ar+ on Ar charge-transfer collisions. The high resolution needed to observe these oscillations is obtained with use of crossed ion and atom beams. The observed frequency is very different from that calculated from available Ar2+ potentials. The difference is attributed to spin change between the fine-structure levels of Ar+.