Radiative electron attachment to rotating C3N through dipole-bound states

The role of a large dipole moment in rotating neutral molecules interacting with low-energy electrons is studied using an accurate ab initio approach accounting for electronic and rotational degrees of freedom. It is found that theory can reproduce weakly bound (dipole-bound) states observed in a recent photodetachment experiment with C3N- [Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 043001 (2021)]. Using a similar level of theory, the cross section for radiative electron attachment to the C3N molecule, forming the dipole-bound states, was determined. The obtained cross section is too small to explain the formation of C3N- in the interstellar medium, suggesting that it is likely formed by a different process.

Automated summary

The role of a large dipole moment in rotating neutral molecules interacting with low-energy electrons is investigated using an accurate ab initio approach. The study successfully reproduces the weakly bound (dipole-bound) states observed in a recent experiment with C3N-. Additionally, the obtained cross section for radiative electron attachment to the C3N molecule, forming the dipole-bound states, is too small to account for its formation in the interstellar medium.