Kinetic rate coefficients for electron-driven collisions with CH+: dissociative recombination and rovibronic excitation.

Cross sections and rate coefficients for rovibronic excitation of the CH+ ion by electron impact and dissociative recombination of CH+ with electrons are evaluated using a theoretical approach combining an R-matrix method and molecular quantum defect theory. The method has been developed and tested, comparing the theoretical results with the data from the recent Cryogenic Storage Ring experiment. The obtained cross sections and rate coefficients evaluated for temperatures from 1 K to 10,000 K could be used for plasma modeling in interpretation of astrophysical observations and also in technological applications where molecular hydrocarbon plasma is present.