Cross sections for single- and double-electron capture have been measured for incident ions of C, N, and O with initial charges + 3 to + 6 colliding with molecular hydrogen at velocities between 0.3 × ${10}^8$ and 1.2 × ${10}^8$ cm/sec. The single-electron-capture cross sections for a particular incident charge are nearly constant with changing velocity. The single-capture cross sections range from about 7 × ${10}^{-16\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ for + 3 incident ions to 40 × ${10}^{-16\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$ for + 6 incident ions. Double-electron-capture cross sections are roughly one order of magnitude smaller. The data are qualitatively interpreted on the basis of the molecular potential-curve model for slow collisions.

• Received 20 July 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.15.61