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PACS numbers: 41.20.−q, 37.10.Ty, 37.90.+j, 05.45.−a
Abstract:
We explore the effects arising due to the coupling of the center of mass and relative motion of two charged
particles confined on an inhomogeneous helix with a locally modified radius. It is first proven that a separation
of the center of mass and the relative motion is provided if and only if the confining manifold represents
a homogeneous helix. In this case, bound states of repulsively Coulomb interacting particles occur. For an
inhomogeneous helix, the coupling of the center of mass and relative motion induces an energy transfer between
the collective and relative motion, leading to dissociation of initially bound states in a scattering process. Due to
the time reversal symmetry, a binding of the particles out of the scattering continuum is thus equally possible.
We identify the regimes of dissociation for different initial conditions and provide an analysis of the underlying
phase space via Poincar´e surfaces of section. Bound states inside the inhomogeneity as well as resonant states
are identified.
