Close-coupling symmetrized variational continuum distorted-wave theory: Electron capture to excited states in p-H collisions

We present the first results of an ab initio coupled-channel calculation of electron capture to the n = 2 states of hydrogen in proton-hydrogen collisions using symmetrized variational (SV) continuum distorted-wave (CDW) theory. In SVCDW theory the collision ansatz includes both outgoing- and incoming-wave components in the wave functions, and represents in a compact and elegant form a very complete basis set for describing the electron capture process. We calculate total cross sections for nonresonant capture to the 2s acid 2p states of the projectile, in the energy range 7-150 keV. The results are a substantial improvement over a previous variational CDW theory, and in particular are found to be in good accord with the available experimental data.