Detailed Study of Recombination: The Importance of the Rydberg State in Electron-H2+Recombination

In the case of $e$-${\mathrm{H}}_2^{+}$ recombination the formation of Rydberg states of the molecule is an important channel through which recombination occurs. Through the energy interval 0.01 to ∼4 eV, the direct H + H pair-production process is in direct competition with the indirect one which proceeds through an intermediate bound Rydberg state ${\mathrm{H}}_2^{\mathrm{R}}$. In the experiment one can see clear evidence of autoionization competing with predissociation and ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$-${\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ pair production, particularly when vibrational levels $v>\mathrm{}2\mathrm{}$ are suppressed in the ${\mathrm{H}}_2^{+}$ beam.