Electron-impact high-lying N2- resonant states

Quasibound states of the nitrogen molecular anion are studied by electron scattering from N-2 using ab initio R-matrix theory and a close-coupling model. Scattering calculations are performed using both cc-pVTZ and cc-pVQZ target basis sets involving up to 26 low-lying target states in a complete active space configuration-interaction representation. Complex resonance potential energy curves are characterized as a function of internuclear separation for all eight N-2(-) states identified, including the well-known X-2 Pi(g) shape resonance, one 1 (2)Sigma(+)(g) Feshbach resonance, as well as six core-excited resonances involving 1 (2)Delta(g), 1 (2)Pi(u), 2 (2)Pi(u), 3 (2)Pi(u), 1 (2)Sigma(+)(u), and 1 (2)Sigma(-)(u). The (2) Delta(g) and (2)Sigma(-)(u) resonant states are identified and characterized. Comparisons are made with the very different resonance structure in the isoelectronic CO- anion. The present resonance analysis provides a starting point for studies of the vibrational excitation, electron-impact dissociation, and other resonance-driven phenomena in N-2.

Automated summary

Quasibound states of the nitrogen molecular anion are studied using ab initio R-matrix theory and a close-coupling model, identifying and characterizing different resonance states and comparing with the resonance structure in the CO- anion.