Electron impact excitation of the 3s3p 1P1 state in magnesium

Abstract

Differential cross sections (DCSs) for electron‐impact excitation of the 3s3p 1P1 resonance state of magnesium have been measured at 10, 15, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 eV incident electron energies (Eo). Scattered‐electron intensities were measured over wide range of scattering angles from 2° to 150°. The absolute DCS scale for the 1P1 state was determined through normalizations of its relative DCSs to optical oscillator strength using forward scattering function method, except at Eo ⩽ 15 eV where the excitation function of the 3s3p 1P1 state experimentally obtained by Leep and Gallagher (1976 Phys. Rev. A 13 148) was utilized for normalization. These absolute DCSs were extrapolated to 0° and 180° and numerically integrated to yield integral, momentum transfer and viscosity cross sections. Our results are compared with available experimental and theoretical data.