The emission continuum of electron excited molecular hydrogen

Photo-excitation of hydrogen molecule from the X1Σ+g state to the B1Σ+u, C1Π+u, and D1Πu states and subsequent emission to the dissociation continuum is the primary destruction mechanism of H2 in interstellar clouds. The authors have recently calculated continuum emission profiles of B1Σ+u - X1Σ+g, C1Πu - X1Σ+g, B' 1Σ+u - X1 Σ+g, and D1Πu - X1Σ+g transitions of H2. Synthetic spectra based on the calculated profiles are in excellent agreement with high-resolution electron-impact induced emission spectra obtained at 100 eV. An improved intensity calibration standard and dissociation yields of the Lyman and Werner continuua produced by both electron and photon impact excitation will be presented