Theory of Electron Capture by Molecules: Dissociative Attachment

Abstract

An elementary process for electron capture by molecules, namely, dissociative electron attachment, is investigated, and a general method is given for calculating the cross section for such a process. Application of this method is carried out for the reaction ${\mathrm{H}}_2+e\to {\mathrm{H}}^{-}+\mathrm{H}$ with both ${\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ and H in their ground states. The calculated cross section-energy curve agrees satisfactorily with the experimentally observed curve.