Near-threshold excitation of the [Formula Presented] state of [Formula Presented] by electron impact

Abstract

Relative differential cross sections, at [Formula Presented] for electron-impact excitation of the [Formula Presented] state of the nitrogen molecule have been measured in the near-threshold energy region. A high-resolution crossed-beam double trochoidal electron spectrometer is used and the cross section is measured directly, by inelastically scattered electrons detection. Measurements are placed on the absolute scale by simultaneous measurement of this process and vibrational excitation of the [Formula Presented] level of the ground state of [Formula Presented] via the [Formula Presented] resonance. Integral cross sections are obtained by using relative angular distributions from previous measurements, for energies of 11.94 and 12.14 eV. Obtained results are compared with other available data. © 1999 The American Physical Society.