Resonant charge exchange involving highly excited atoms

Transition of a classical electron between two Coulomb centers is analyzed on the basis of computer simulations. The contribution to the electron transfer cross section from a tunnel electron transition is evaluated taking into account the strong mixing of highly excited electron states due to motion of Coulomb centers. The rate of transition of a highly excited electron between two Coulomb cores with a fixed separation is evaluated together with the cross section of resonant charge exchange in slow collisions. Typical times of change of the electron momentum as a-result of electron motion in the field of two Coulomb centers are determined.