Rotationally-resolved electron scattering on H$_2$ with the molecular convergent close-coupling method
POSTER
Abstract
Cross sections for e-H$_2$ scattering are of fundamental importance for modeling fusion, astrophysical, and industrial plasmas. Accurate collisional-radiative modelling requires comprehensive sets of cross sections for electronic, vibrational and rotational excitations. In recent years the molecular convergent close-coupling (MCCC) method has been applied to the e-H$_2$ scattering problem with the goal of producing a complete set of scattering cross sections for all important transitions. Electronic and vibrationally resolved cross sections have been calculated previously, and now the MCCC method is utilized to generate rotationally-resolved cross sections. Previous research has seen reasonable agreement between theory and experiment for low-lying rotational excitations of H$_2$ without electronic excitation, but there is little data available for simultaneous electronic and rovibrational excitation. In this talk we present results for rovibrational excitation of the ground and low-lying excited electronic states, including the $B~^1\Sigma_u^+$ and $C~^1\Pi_u$ states which are of interest in astrophysical applications, and the $d~^3\Pi_u$ state which has garnered significant attention due to its importance in Fulcher-$\alpha$ band spectroscopy.
*This work was supported by the Australian Research Council, the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Australian Government Research Training Program (LHS), and the Forrest Research Foundation (LHS).