Electron collisions with NO: elastic scattering, vibrational excitation and 2Π1/2 ⇌ 2Π3/2 transitions

Abstract

Absolute differential elastic and vibrational excitation cross sections have been measured for NO at 135° with resolution of the 2Π1/2 and 2Π3/2 spin–orbit components of the ground electronic term. The electronic fine structure excitation is dominated by the 3Σ− and the 1Δ resonances of NO−; the nonresonant contribution is very small. The cross section is very large; it has about the same magnitude as the resonant part of the elastic cross section. The magnitudes and shapes of the vibrational cross sections are essentially independent of whether the electronic fine structure transition is simultaneously excited or not. The vibrational cross sections have structures with interesting irregular shapes. Relative cross sections have been also measured at 180° and show differences in intensities of the resonant structures above 1.6 eV.