R-matrix study of electron impact excitation and dissociation of CH+ ions

Abstract

Electron impact excitation and electron impact dissociation of CH+ ions are studied in the framework of the R-matrix method using the diatomic version of the UK molecular R-matrix codes. A configuration interaction calculation is first performed to yield the potential energy curves of the lowest eight singlet and triplet states of CH+. Scattering calculations are then performed to yield vibrationally-resolved electronic excitations to the lowest three bound states, namely the a , A and the b . Electron impact dissociation cross sections are obtained from the assumption that all electronic excitations above the dissociation threshold result in dissociation. Bound states of CH and resonance positions and widths of Feshbach resonances in the e–CH+ system are also calculated at the CH+ equilibrium bond length 2.137 a0.