Neutralization of ${\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ in Energetic Collisions with Multiply Charged Ions

Employing the crossed-beam technique, we have measured absolute cross sections for neutralization of ${\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ ions in collisions with multiply charged ions ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{q+}$ ($q\le 4$) and ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{q+}$, ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{q+}$ ($q\le 8$) at center-of-mass energies ranging from 20 to 200 keV. It is found that the cross sections are independent of the target ion species. The data are in excellent agreement with quantum calculations. A universal scaling law for the neutralization cross section is given.