Excitation of the, 3Π state of CO by electron impact

Abstract

Electron impact excitation of the 3Π valence state of the carbon-monoxide molecule has been studied in the energy region from threshold to 10 eV. Excitation functions for spin forbidden transitions from the ν=0 level of the ground X1Σ+ state of CO to the ν′=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 levels of the 3Π state are measured. A crossed beam double trochoidal electron spectrometer is used. Forward and backward scattered electrons from the ν′=0 excitation channel are separated by electron beam modulation and a time-of-flight detection technique. The present results are normalized to the ground state 2Π resonance vibrational excitation cross sections and absolute values of the differential cross sections at the border angles of 0 ° and 180° are determined. In this way the differential cross section measurements are completed in the full angular range from 0° to 180°. The present results are compared to the existing literature data. © 2011 American Physical Society.