Angle-differential cross sections and spin-asymmetry parameters for spin-polarized electron-impact excitation of spin-polarized cesium atoms

Abstract

Relative angle-differential cross sections and spin-asymmetry parameters are presented for spin-polarized electron-impact excitation of spin-polarized cesium atoms for incident projectile energies ranging from 5 eV to 25 eV. The experimental data, obtained in the angular range of 40° to 140°, are compared with predictions from a nonrelativistic convergent close-coupling treatment for the differential cross section and the (spin) exchange asymmetry and from a semirelativistic R matrix with pseudostates approach. The latter also yields nonzero values for two other spin asymmetries that require the presence of explicitly relativistic effects such as the spin-orbit interaction. The overall agreement between the experimental data and the theoretical predictions is satisfactory.