ATOMIC COLLISION PROCESSES RELATING TO THE IONOSPHERE
Abstract
The cross section for vibrational excitation of N2, CO, and H2 by electron impact is measured using a double electrostatic analyzer. Electrons are examined after scattering from the molecules at an angle of 72 degrees. Both N2 and CO exhibit a small vibrational cross section to the first state below 1.7 eV and 1.0 eV, respectively, which is attributed to direct excitation by electron impact. Above these energies, many vibrational states are excited and the cross section becomes large; it is postulated that the excitation proceeds via a compound state of N2 and CO. The peak of the cross section occurs at 2.3 eV in N2 and 1.75 eV in CO. In hydrogen, the cross section to the first vibrational state predominates; the cross section to the second vibrational state of H2 is about 14% of the first state, at an energy of 3.4 eV.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0435090
Entities
People
- G. J. Schulz
Organizations
- Westinghouse Electric Corporation