Stimulated recombination of atoms accompanying electron cooling of heavy charged particle beams

An analysis is made of the quantum mechanical problem of the stimulated transition of a proton–electron system in the field of a strong electromagnetic wave from the continuum to a bound state having a finite lifetime. Expressions are derived for the intensity of the spontaneous radiation which accompanies the transition of the system from an intermediate bound state to the ground state, and also for the rate of formation of neutral hydrogen atoms. It is found that in the field of an external electromagnetic wave the probability of formation of atoms increases substantially compared with spontaneous recombination.