Scattering theory for ionization and dissociation of diatomics.

Precision tests of scattering theory for photoionization and photodissociation of molecular hydrogen

We develop scattering methods to predict the photoionization and photodissociation spectrum of the most fundamental molecule - molecular hydrogen - from highly accurate ab initio calculations. The predictions are compared to experimental resonance positions, lifetimes and branching ratios obtained using molecular Rydberg spectroscopy and velocity-map imaging. Comparing theory and experiment allows us to push the understanding of molecular fragmentation processes to unprecedented levels using multichannel quantum-defect theory and coupled-channel scattering calculations.