Towards a Cross Section Database of Excited Atomic and Molecular Hydrogen

Electron collision processes involving vibrationally excited diatomic hydrogen molecules and related cross sections are discussed. In particular, dissociative and non-dissociative electronic excitation and ionization, as well as radiative decay and dissociative attachment from H 2 molecules in their ground and excited (Rydberg) states, are considered. Finally, collision processes involving excited hydrogen atoms are also discussed due to their importance in affecting the transport properties of hydrogen plasmas.