Electronic Dynamics in Atomic and Molecular Collisions

A special issue of Atoms (ISSN 2218-2004). This special issue belongs to the section "Atomic, Molecular and Nuclear Spectroscopy and Collisions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1583

Special Issue Editors


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1. Instituto de Física Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Bv 27 de Febrero 210 bis, Rosario 2000, Argentina
2. Laboratorio de Colisiones Atómicas, FCEIA, IFIR, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Avenida Pellegrini 250, Rosario 2000, Argentina
Interests: atomic and molecular physics; applications on irradiation of biological matter

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Guest Editor
1. Instituto de Física Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Bv 27 de Febrero 210 bis, Rosario 2000, Argentina
2. Laboratorio de Colisiones Atómicas, FCEIA, IFIR, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Avenida Pellegrini 250, Rosario, Argentina
Interests: atomic and molecular physics; radiobiology; computational neuroscience

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Guest Editor
Instituto de Física Rosario (CONICET-UNR), Bv 27 de Febrero 210 bis, Rosario 2000, Argentina
Interests: atomic and molecular collisions; radiobiology; computation

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Guest Editor
Department of Physics, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
Interests: experimental atomic; molecular and optical physics
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The study of electronic dynamics in atomic and molecular collisions sits at the heart of understanding matter and energy interactions. These processes, where the rapid rearrangement of electrons dictates outcomes like energy transfer, ionization, and fragmentation, are critical in diverse environments, from astrophysical plasmas to radiation damage and radiobiological processes. The field is currently being transformed by sophisticated experimental techniques, such as cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy (COLTRIMS) and ultrafast light sources, alongside cutting-edge theoretical and computational methods. This Special Issue aims to highlight the latest breakthroughs in unraveling the complex, time-evolving behavior of electrons during collisional events.

We welcome contributions that address fundamental questions and present novel findings, from detailed case studies to broader methodological advances, in this dynamically evolving area of research.

Research topics include, but are not limited to, both theoretical and experimental studies of the following:

  • Electron–atom, electron–ion, and electron–molecule collisions;
  • Bare- and dressed-ions collisions with atoms and molecules;
  • Molecular dynamics (e.g., dissociation and vibrational excitation);
  • Atomic and molecular photoionization;
  • Attosecond and strong-field processes in atoms and molecules;
  • Radiation damage and radiobiological processes, particularly the physical and chemical stages.

Dr. Roberto Daniel Rivarola
Dr. Juan Manuel Monti
Dr. Michele Arcangelo Quinto
Dr. Emmanouil Benis
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • electron dynamics
  • atomic collisions
  • molecular collisions
  • ultrafast processes
  • COLTRIMS

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 416 KB  
Article
Ionization in C6++He Collisions: Singly Differential Cross-Sections
by Sh. U. Alladustov, K. H. Spicer, N. W. Antonio, A. M. Kotian and A. S. Kadyrov
Atoms 2026, 14(4), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms14040031 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 359
Abstract
Differential ionization in C6++He collisions is investigated using the single- and two-center wave-packet convergent close-coupling (WP-CCC) method for projectile energies of 1–6 MeV/u. We present three types of singly differential cross-sections (SDCSs) as functions of the ejection angle, ejection [...] Read more.
Differential ionization in C6++He collisions is investigated using the single- and two-center wave-packet convergent close-coupling (WP-CCC) method for projectile energies of 1–6 MeV/u. We present three types of singly differential cross-sections (SDCSs) as functions of the ejection angle, ejection energy, and projectile scattering angle. The two-center framework incorporates couplings across all channels as well as electron correlations. Overall, both the single- and two-center WP-CCC results agree well with existing experimental and theoretical data (apart from the first Born ones) for the SDCS as a function of electron energy and the SDCS as a function of ejection angle, laying a foundation for investigation of doubly and fully differential ionization cross-sections. The cross-sections differential in the projectile scattering angle are presented for the first time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electronic Dynamics in Atomic and Molecular Collisions)
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9 pages, 1281 KB  
Article
Charge Exchange Studies with n-, l-, and spin-Quantum State Population in Ar7+-He Collisions
by Yijiao Wu, Hao Yin, Bingsheng Tu, Tianming Meng, Pufang Ma, Xu Tan, Ke Yao, Jun Xiao, Yaming Zou and Baoren Wei
Atoms 2026, 14(4), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms14040030 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 339
Abstract
The energy-dependent population of fine quantum states in single electron capture (SEC) reflects the intrinsic collision dynamics. Here we report experimental studies of Ar7+ ions colliding with He in the energy range of 1.05–17.5 keV/u. Owing to the high resolution of a [...] Read more.
The energy-dependent population of fine quantum states in single electron capture (SEC) reflects the intrinsic collision dynamics. Here we report experimental studies of Ar7+ ions colliding with He in the energy range of 1.05–17.5 keV/u. Owing to the high resolution of a recoil-ion momentum spectrometer, the n-, l-, and spin-state electron capture populations are well resolved, and a strong energy dependence of the SEC cross sections is observed. Most importantly, a clear inversion of the cross-section ratio between the spin-resolved triplet and singlet 3s3d configurations is found, demonstrating a breakdown of spin statistics. Together with recent spin-resolved studies of C3+-He collisions (PRL 133, 173002 (2024)), these results suggest that the breakdown of spin statistics is likely a general feature of charge exchange in open-shell highly charged ion systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electronic Dynamics in Atomic and Molecular Collisions)
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9 pages, 328 KB  
Article
Single-Electron Capture in Intermediate-Energy He+ + Ne Collisions
by Hanfeng Yu, Dalong Guo, Xiaolong Zhu, Xuexia Pang, Yong Gao, Dongmei Zhao, Kaizhao Lin, Jinjian Yu, Shaofeng Zhang and Xinwen Ma
Atoms 2026, 14(4), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/atoms14040028 - 1 Apr 2026
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Abstract
State-selective single-electron capture in He+ + Ne collisions was studied at laboratory He+ projectile kinetic energies of 30–100 keV (corresponding to 7.5–25 keV/u) using a reaction microscope. Q-value spectra were obtained through recoil-ion momentum reconstruction, enabling the decomposition of the [...] Read more.
State-selective single-electron capture in He+ + Ne collisions was studied at laboratory He+ projectile kinetic energies of 30–100 keV (corresponding to 7.5–25 keV/u) using a reaction microscope. Q-value spectra were obtained through recoil-ion momentum reconstruction, enabling the decomposition of the capture yield into three distinct contributions: (i) capture into excited states of the projectile without target excitation, (ii) capture into the projectile ground state accompanied by excitation of the residual Ne+ ion, and (iii) capture involving simultaneous excitation of both He and Ne+. Across the studied energy range, capture into the projectile ground state accompanied by target excitation is the dominant pathway. With increasing impact energy, the fraction of joint projectile–target excitation increases markedly, whereas the target-excitation-only contribution decreases; the projectile-excitation-only fraction remains at a low, nearly constant level. These findings underscore the significance of multi-electron dynamics in intermediate-energy collisions involving many-electron targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electronic Dynamics in Atomic and Molecular Collisions)
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