Experimental Studies of Electron Collisions with Excited Atoms

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Abstract

This is a project to measure total cross sections for excitation and ionization resulting from scattering of electrons off atoms in an excited state. Within a gas discharge the net effects of these processes can be larger than the effects of the corresponding processes out of the ground state level. Measurements will focus on the four rare gas atoms, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon. The use of two complementary apparatuses will make it possible to carry out the measurements over a wide energy range and for many different final levels. Results of the measurements will enrich the basic understanding of electron impact processes and provide fundamental information needed for new technological advances.