Total and differential ionization cross sections in collision between nitrogen atom and singly charged sodium ion.

ABSTRACT

We present a theoretical study of the ionization of nitrogen atom by a singly charged sodium ion using the classical trajectory Monte Carlo method. Although we suffer from a lack of cross section data of this collision system, the knowledge of the basic cross sections is essential in fusion science, because this reaction has potential applications in the diagnostic of magnetically confined fusion plasmas. In our investigations, the Na+-N collision system is reduced to a three-body problem. The interaction between the collision partners is described by the Garvey-type model potential. The results of our study provide insight into the dynamics of singly charged sodium-nitrogen interactions. The total cross sections are presented in the impact energy range between 10 keV and 10 MeV and compared them with the available experimental data. The single and double differential cross sections are presented at 30, 40, 50 and 60 keV energies related to the energies of the plasma diagnostic used in the nuclear fusion.