Electron collision with the silicon monoxide (SiO) molecule using the R-matrix method

SiO is a molecule that is well known astrophysically. Electron scattering calculations are presented at the static-exchange and close-coupling approximations, one including 24 target states and another including 48 states. Our study predicts the existence of several low-lying narrow (2)Pi, (2)Delta and (2)Sigma(-) Feshbach resonances and confirms the existence of a (2)Pi bound state. Results from the 48-state close-coupling calculation have been employed to calculate rotational ( de) excitation rates and rate-fitting coefficients, which are useful in astrophysical modelling. Ionization cross sections, rotationally summed and resolved differential and integral cross sections are also presented.