Electron impact induced electronic excitation and molecular dissociation

Electron impact dissociation following molecular electronic excitation is shown to be one of the main dissociation channels for most molecules and the main one for a number of them. The calculated cross-sections and the rate constants for the dissociation process are given for a number of molecules. The influence of vibrational and rotational excitation of the target molecules on the cross-sections and the rate constants are analysed.