Nonadiabatic response in a C₆₀ ion collision: A real-time quantum approach

Abstract

We use a large N-electron determinant-basis method to calculate the excitation energy of valence electrons in a C⁺–C₆₀) collision without fragmentation at energy K. We study a central collision in the range 50 eV 〈 K 〈 15 keV. The electronic excitation energy of π electrons displays two main maxima at 1.15 and 5 keV. They are interpreted as resonance effects. We calculate by two independent approaches in real time the electron densities of the sites and the currents of the bonds. We show that the valence electrons tend to form a wake following the incident ion at the same velocity.