Rotational excitation in (H⁻, H₂) collisions: a quantum mechanical study

Abstract

Differential and integral cross sections have been computed for elastic and rotationally inelastic collisions in (H⁻, H₂ (v=0, j=0, 1)) at four different relative translational energies (E_trans=1.66, 2.03, 2.40 and 2.79 eV) on an accurate ab initio potential energy surface by a time-independent quantum mechanical approach (helicity basis truncated at k=2). It is shown that the exchange reaction plays only a minor role when compared to the rotational inelastic process. The computed differential inelastic cross sections are in good agreement with the experimental results at E_trans=1.66, 2.03 and 2.79 eV for j=1. Although the elastic process plays only a minor role for j=0, it is not negligible for j=1.