Application of the Scherer-Blume theory to the intermediate ionization regime

Blume's formula for the time-differential attenuation coefficients for the hyperfine perturbation of ions recoiling in gas is rewritten in a form convenient for numerical solution when the number of precession frequencies is large. Asymptotic expressions for the behaviour of the solutions for very short, and very long correlation time are given. Approximate condition for the existence of a minimum in the pressure dependence of the time differential coefficients, as well as the position and depth of such a minimum, are also derived, and compared with the results of calculations for various physical systems.Supported in part by the Israel Commission for Basic Research.