Cross sections for the reaction H++H2 (v=0-14) → H+H2+ at low collision energies

Cross sections for the reaction H+ + H-2 --> H + H-2(+) have been calculated in the centre-of-mass collision energy range of E-cm less than or equal to 20 eV by using the trajectory-surface-hopping method. The vibrational quantum number of the reactant H2 has been taken to be in the range 0 less than or equal to nu less than or equal to 14, and the effect of nu on H-2(+) production has been investigated. The results show that H: production increases rapidly as nu increases up to nu = 5, 6, and then decreases with further increase of nu. The Maxwellian-averaged rate coefficients, which are expressed as functions of the plasma and H-2 temperatures (T, E), have been estimated from the calculated cross sections in the range 0.1 less than or equal to T, E less than or equal to 5.0 eV.