Electron excitation and autoionisation cross sections for elements of chemically peculiar stars: Study of bismuth

Abstract

Electron impact excitation from the ground state of bismuth atoms has been studied. A beam of electrons was scattered from a beam of atoms and the intensity of scattered electrons was measured for scattering angles up to 150° and incident electron energies of 40 and 60 eV. Obtained intensities were used for the calculation of relative differential cross sections (DCS). In addition, we recorded the energy loss-spectra at different incident electron energies and scattering angles. These spectra were analysed in order to identify the energy levels of bismuth atom below and above (autoionisation) the first ionization limit in electron spectroscopy. The presence of bismuth was confirmed in spectra of the chemically peculiar (CP) magnetic Ap 73 Dra and HR 465 and nonmagnetic Hg-Mn HR 7775 and χ Lupi stars. The obtained results for relative DCS and identified autoionised energy levels of bismuth were analysed and compared with previous experimental and theoretical data. The connection between our investigations of bismuth and astrophysical measurements are discussed.