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This study conducts a comprehensive screening of 2442 atom-atom and atom-molecule combinations to identify systems conducive to Interparticle Coulombic Electron Capture (ICEC), which can compete with photorecombination. By employing an efficient asymptotic approximation to predict ICEC cross sections and electron spectra, the researchers include intramolecular nuclear motion while neglecting interparticle dynamics to facilitate a broad analysis. The results highlight several promising candidates, particularly halogen-halide systems and those involving protons with diatomic molecules like N$_2$, O$_2$, CO, and NO, suggesting significant implications for atmospheric and astrochemical contexts.
Identifying specific atom-molecule combinations that favorably enhance ICEC could revolutionize our understanding of electron dynamics in complex environments.
Interparticle Coulombic Electron Capture (ICEC) provides an environment-assisted pathway for electron attachment that can compete with photorecombination. Here, we present the first comprehensive survey of ICEC in atom-atom and atom-molecule systems, screening 2442 combinations in search of promising candidates for future experimental investigation. We employ the efficient asymptotic approximation to predict ICEC cross sections and electron spectra. Intramolecular nuclear motion is included, while interparticle nuclear dynamics is neglected to permit an extensive survey. We identify several classes of atom-atom and atom-molecule systems with favourable ICEC cross sections and ICEC-to-photorecombination ratios, including halogen-halide systems and systems involving a proton and diatomic molecules such as N$_2$, O$_2$, CO, and NO. These findings point to atmospheric and astrochemical environments in which ICEC may be relevant.