Dissociative electron attachment cross sections for ro-vibrationally excited NO molecule and N- anion formation

Motivated by the huge need of data for non-equilibrium plasma modeling, a theoretical investigation of dissociative electron attachment to the NO molecule is performed. The calculations presented here are based on the Local-Complex-Potential approach, taking into account five NO$^-$ resonances. Three specific channels of the process are studied, including the production of excited nitrogen atoms $\mathrm{N}(^2\mathrm{D})$ and of its anions N$^-$. Interpretation of the existing experimental data and their comparison with our theoretical result are given. A full set of ro-vibrationally-resolved cross sections and the corresponding rate coefficients are reported. In particular, a relatively notably large cross section of N$^-$ ion formation at low energy of the incident electron and for vibrationally excited NO target is predicted. Finally, molecular rotation effects are discussed.