Vibrationally resolved ionization cross sections for the ground state and electronically excited states of the hydrogen molecule

Graphical abstract: Cross sections for non-dissociative and dissociative ionization of v′ = 0 in the ground state of the hydrogen molecule. For dissociative ionization the results of the present calculations fit much better to the most recent experimental data than theoretical data previously available in literature. Highlights: ► Ionization cross sections for the hydrogen molecule have been calculated. ► It is accounted for non-dissociative and dissociative ionization. ► The cross sections are vibrationally resolved. ► Calculations have been performed for six electronic states of the molecule. - Abstract: Ionization cross sections for the hydrogen molecule have been calculated by applying the classical Gryzinski theory combined with the Franck–Condon theory. It is shown that—if the reaction channels, Franck–Condon factors and Franck–Condon densities are taken into account properly—the calculated cross sections for ionization of the molecular ground state X1Σg+(v′=0) are in almost perfect agreement with the latest and most reliable experimental results. A comprehensive database is established which includes vibrationally resolved cross sections for non-dissociative and dissociative ionization of the molecular ground state as well as for the first five non-repulsive electronically excited states in the molecule.