Electron degradation and yields on initial products. II. Subexcitation electrons in molecular nitrogen

Abstract

Subexcitation electrons lose their kinetic energy through vibrational excitation, rotational excitation, and elastic collisions in molecular gases. Initial yields of vibrationally and rotationally excited states of nitrogen molecules are calculated by using the Spencer–Fano equation (SFE) and its simplification, the continuous-slowing-down approximation (CSDA), both in time-independent and time-dependent representations. One focus of the present study is a close comparison of the CSDA with the rigorous treatment of the SFE in the subexcitation domain. The present result reveals for the first time distinct energy regions in which either vibrational excitation or rotational excitation dominates. This recognition explains the different time dependence of the yields of vibrational and rotational excitation.