Calculated vibrational excitation rates for electron - Formula collisions

Abstract

Molecular R-matrix calculations are performed at a range of energies to give vibrational excitation cross-sections and hence rates for electron collisions with |$H_{2}^{+}$|⁠. Results are presented for the |$v$| = 0 → 1, 0 → 2 and 1 → 2 excitations for electron temperatures up to 20 000 K. De-excitation rates and critical density are also studied. The vibrational motion is considered within an adiabatic model; an estimate is given for non-adiabatic effects. Our results suggest that the |$v$| = 0 → 1 rate peaks at 7.2 × 10–9 cm3 s–1 for an electron temperature of 8000 K.