Physical adsorption of hydrogen on interstellar graphite grain surfaces

We review existingsingle-particle theories concerning parameters of importance which determine the kinetics of hydrogen molecule formation and ejection from cold (T _gr?20K) graphite grain surfaces. The nature of thesingle-particle quantum states of low mass gas atoms and molecules in a periodic surface lattice potential is considered. Contributions to the physical adsorption potential due to dynamic polarizability effects arising from thelong-range collective valence-electron charge-density oscillations (plasmons) of the substrate are discussed.Short-range electron correlation effects at the surface may lead to the formation of a ‘quasimolecular state’ of adsorbed H₂ with a bond length ～3.5 Å and a reduced bond energy ～0.075 eV. It is proposed, that one consequence of this dynamical screening of the adsorbed molecules is that they are ejected normal to the grain surface with velocities ?20 km s^?1 and not necessarily in a high vibrational state. Similar dynamical effects could be important in determining activation processes and long-range ordering in monolayer films of adsorbed H₂. The astrophysical consequences of thesemany-body effects are discussed in the light of recent experimental and observational results.