Anomalous n dependence of low-energy electron capture from atomic hydrogen by multicharged ions

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