A model describing inelastic processes in low-energy electron collisions with methyl chloride

Abstract

Dissociative attachment and vibrational excitation processes in low-energy electron collisions with methyl chloride are considered. A theory based on a combination of the resonance R-matrix approach and the non-local-complex-potential approach is applied for the calculation of the cross sections. For the input data of the theory the author uses Falcetta and Jordan's calculation of the adiabatic potential curve for the CH3Cl- anion. The calculated dissociative attachment cross sections averaged over the thermal vibrational distribution are about three orders of magnitude less than those obtained in a beam experiment of Chu et al. (1990). Possible reasons for this discrepancy are analysed. Vibrational excitation cross sections exhibit a sharp threshold peak and a broad resonance with the position corresponding to the vertical attachment energy. The author also investigates the sensitivity of the results to the input parameters.