Electron scattering from the N$_2$H radical

Electron collisions with the N$_2$H radical are an essential constituent of understanding electron detachment in low energy H$^-$ + N$_2$ collisions. Potential energy curves for both the neutral N$_2$H and anion N$_2$H$^-$ molecules are calculated as a function of the N$_2$ - H bond length in the C$_s$ symmetry point group, for perpendicular, colinear and bent geometry using a CAS-CI approximation. Low energy electron scattering from the N$_2$H molecule are performed with the R-matrix method using a multi-state close-coupling approach to determine the scattering cross-sections as a function of the colliding electron energy. The autoionization linewidth ($\Gamma$) and resonance energies found near threshold in the elastic scattering cross sections are determined as a function of the stretching of the N$_2$ - H bond length, where the N$_2$ molecule is fixed at its equilibrium geometry. A complex potential is then constructed from the resonance parameters and used in the heavy particle dynamical calculations to determine the low energy electron detachment cross sections and rates. Results for isotopic replacement of H$^-$ by D$^-$ have also been obtained for this cold molecular complex. Further details will be presented at the meeting.