The theoretical description of an asymmetric, nonresonant charge transfer process; Li + Na⁺ ⇌ Li⁺ + Na the two-state approximation

The charge transfer process for the collision Li + Na⁺ ⇌ Li⁺ + Na has been studied theoretically by a two-state, impact parameter approach using molecular wavefunctions. Including the coupling term 〈ψ₁{divides}∂/∂R{divides}ψ₂〉 due to the breakdown of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, we obtain total charge transfer cross sections in good agreement with experimental results.