Abstract

A quantum mechanical theory for the ℏω+AB→A+B++e- three body breakup is presented. The theory is based on the Continuum Coupled Channels expansion (CCC) in which the three body wave-function is expanded in terms of square integrable and (flux carrying) continuum states. The theory consistently treats the accompanying processes of three body inelastic collisions, dissociative attachment and Penning ionization. Applications to the dissociative photoionization of H2 and HD are presented. The relevant equations are solved exactly using the Artificial Channel method. Excellent agreement is obtained with experiment, concerning the proton kinetic energy distribution.