Description
The development of the molecular convergent close-coupling (MCCC) method has enabled large-scale convergence studies to be performed for molecular targets for the first time. Over the last decade we have been applying this technology to the electron-H$_2$ scattering system, with the long-term goal of producing a complete collision data set for application in collisional-radiative models. Previously, the majority of available data were either from small close-coupling calculations valid only at low energies, or semi-classical calculations valid only at high energies. There was also little vibrationally- and rotationally-resolved data available.
Motivated by fusion and astrophysical applications, we have produced cross sections numbering in the hundreds of thousands for electrons scattering on H$_2$ and its five isotopologues, considering vibrational levels in the first 20 electronic states, and rovibrational levels in the first 10. These data have allowed detailed collisional-radiative models for low-temperature hydrogen plasmas to be constructed for the first time. This talk will provide an update on the MCCC project and its applications, including new results for proton collisions with H$_2$.