We present superelastic cross sections of ${\mathrm{H}}_2$ by electron impact. Our results, obtained with the Schwinger multichannel method, include cross sections for the c${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathrm{\Pi }}_{\mathrm{u}}$→ X${\mathrm{}}^1$${\mathrm{\Sigma }}_{\mathrm{g}}^{\mathrm{}(+)\mathrm{}}$, c${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathrm{\Pi }}_{\mathrm{u}}$→ b${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathrm{\Sigma }}_{\mathrm{u}}^{\mathrm{}(+)\mathrm{}}$, c${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathrm{\Pi }}_{\mathrm{u}}$→ a${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathrm{\Sigma }}_{\mathrm{g}}^{\mathrm{}(+)\mathrm{}}$, and elastic c${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathrm{\Pi }}_{\mathrm{u}}$→ c${\mathrm{}}^3$${\mathrm{\Pi }}_{\mathrm{u}}$ transitions. The calculated cross sections are very large, indicating their importance in the modeling of discharge environments. We also investigate the dependence of these cross sections on the internuclear separation of the H atoms and on different approximations of the target wave function. To assess the role of the exchange potential in these processes, we also present the corresponding polarization fractions.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.55.3243