Low and intermediate energy electron collisions with the C$_2^-$ molecular anion

Abstract

Calculations are presented which use the molecular R-matrix with pseudo-states (MRMPS) method to treat electron impact electron detachment and electronic excitation of the carbon dimer anion. Resonances are found above the ionisation threshold of C$_2^-$ with $^1\Sigma^+_g$, $^1\Pi_g$ and $^3\Pi_g$ symmetry. These are shape resonances trapped by the effect of an attractive polarisation potential competing with a repulsive Coulomb interaction. The $\Pi_g$ resonances are found to give structure in the detachment cross section similar to that observed experimentally. Both excitation and detachment cross sections are found to be dominated by large impact parameter collisions whose contribution is modelled using the Born approximation.