Benchmark angle-differential cross-section ratios for the electron-impact excitation of the xenon 5p6 1S0→5p56s[3/2]2 , 5p56s[3/2]1 , 5p56s′[1/2]0 , and 5p56s′[1/2]1+5p56p[1/2]1 transitions at low and near-threshold incident electron energies

Abstract

Experimental benchmark intensity ratios for the angle-differential scattering intensities for electron-impact excitation from the xenon ground state $5{p}^{6}$ ${}^{1}{S}_{0}$ to its lowest five excited states $5{p}^{5}6s{[3/2]}_{2}$, $5{p}^{5}6s{[3/2]}_{1}$, $5{p}^{5}6{s}^{\ensuremath{'}}{[1/2]}_{0}$, and (combined) $5{p}^{5}6{s}^{\ensuremath{'}}{[1/2]}_{1}+5{p}^{5}6p{[1/2]}_{1}$ are reported and compared to predictions from a full-relativistic $B$-spline $R$-matrix close-coupling model as well as earlier experimental work. The above ratios, which provide a stringent test of theoretical electron scattering models, are presented for this heavy rare gas with particular emphasis on the role of spin-exchange and direct excitation processes affecting their angular dependence.