Production of the Q2 doubly excited states of the hydrogen molecule by electron impact in a single step

We calculate the single step cross sections for excitation of Q 2 states of H2 and its subsequent dissociation. The cross section calculations were performed within the first Born approximation and the electronic wave functions were obtained via State-Averaged Multiconfigurational Self-Consistent Field followed by Configuration Interaction. We have assumed autoionization is the only important process competing with dissociation into neutral atoms. We have estimated its probability through a semi classical approach and compared with results of literature. Special attention was given to the Q 2 1 Σg + (1) state which, as has been shown in a previous work, may dissociate into H(2sσ ) + H(2sσ ) fragments (some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version).