Ionization excitation of diatomic systems having two active electrons by fast electron impact: a probe to electron correlation

(e, 2e) ionization excitation of diatomic hydrogen to the first dissociative state of H + 2 by fast electrons is studied theoretically using the prolate spheroidal two-centre continuum numerical solutions to construct the partial-wave description of the slow ejected electron in a variety of situations. Our results confirm the fundamental role of the initial bound state 'left–right' correlation and show the breakdown of dynamical behaviours observed in the case of simple (e, 2e) ionization. Actually realizable complete experiments detecting the scattered and ejected electrons in coincidence with the bare detached nucleus are expected to verify our theoretical predictions.