Anomalousndependence of low-energy electron capture from atomic hydrogen by multicharged ions

A theory of electron capture from states of high principal quantum number n by multicharged ions is presented. We predict a capture cross section that depends upon the n of the initial state as ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{\beta }}$ where β is as large as 7 in some cases. This surprisingly high n dependence explains why a small (less than 0.1%) fraction of hydrogen in high n states contributes 30% of the capture yield in ${\mathrm{O}}^{5+}$+H collisions. The theory also predicts a strong dependence on the dipole moment of the initial state.