Electron impact excitation of H2(D2). Resonance phenomena associated with the X2Σsub(u)+ and B2Σsub(g)+ states of H2- in the 10 eV region

Quantitative results have been obtained for vibrational excitation of both H2 and D2 by electron impact at 10 eV. A strong isotope effect is observed for the lowest levels where the X2Σsub(u)+ resonance produces the main contribution. The B2Σsub(g)+ resonance is only observed weakly in the high vibrational level cross sections. Vibrational excitation was also observed at 5 eV where only the X2Σsub(u)+ resonance is present. The near-threshold cross section of the b3Σsub(u)+ state was determined with the aim of observing the B2Σsub(g)+ resonance in this channel. No such contribution was detected, the cross section appeared to be dominated by direct scattering. (author)