Electron Loss Cross-Sections for Low Energy Proton-Lithium Collisions

We present measurements of the electron loss cross-section for collisions between protons and lithium atoms in the energy range 0.75 -- 4 keV. In this energy range the contribution from ionization is negligible and our results are effectively a measure of the charge transfer cross-section. Our measured cross-sections are approximately 70{\%} higher than previous measurements, which used a different experimental technique. To investigate possible reasons for the discrepancy we provide a detailed description of our experimental apparatus and method, along with our results from experiments using helium and neon ions in place of protons. A brief description of the technique used in the prior work is also given, and possible reasons for the discrepancy between our results are highlighted.