Electron-capture cross sections for low-energy highly charged neon and argon ions from molecular and atomic hydrogen

Electron-capture cross sections for low-velocity (${10}^6$–${10}^7$ cm/s) highly charged ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{\mathrm{q}+}$ (2≤q≤7) and ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{\mathrm{q}+}$ (2≤q≤10) projectiles incident on molecular- and atomic-hydrogen targets have been measured. A recoil-ion source that used the collisions of fast heavy ions (1 MeV/amu) with target gas atoms was utilized to produce slow highly charged ions. Atomic hydrogen was produced by dissociating hydrogen molecules in a high-temperature oven. Measurements and analysis of the data for molecular- and atomic-hydrogen targets are discussed in detail. The measured absolute cross sections are compared with published data and predictions of theoretical models.