Formulas for cross sections and rate coefficients for partial electron impact ionization of CH4 and H2

Abstract

Robust, accurate, and asymptotically exact cross section formulas for all direct and dissociative electron impact ionization channels of methane and hydrogen are presented. The parameter estimation employs Bayesian inference and allows for a consistent use of data from different experiments with possibly discordant calibrations. An efficient method for the calculation of rate coefficients and their temperature derivatives is outlined. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.