Collisional excitation of CH(X²Π) by He: new ab initio potential energy surfaces and scattering calculations.

We present a new set of potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the CH(X(2)Π)-He van der Waals system. Ab initio calculations of the CH-He PES were carried out using the open-shell single- and double-excitation coupled cluster approach with non-iterative perturbational treatment of triple excitations [RCCSD(T)]. The augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta (aug-cc-pVQZ) basis set was employed augmented by mid-bond functions. Integral cross sections for the rotational excitation in CH-He collisions were calculated using the new PES and compared with available experimental results. The newly constructed PES reproduces the available experimental results for CH(X(2)Π, v = 0)-He collisions better than any previously available PES. Differential cross sections (DCS) are presented for the first time for this system and discussed within the context of rotational rainbows. Finally, our work provides the first rate thermal coefficients for this system that are crucially needed for astrochemical modelling and future anticipated experiments in CH(X(2)Π)-He collisions.