Electron-impact ionization of atomic hydrogen at incident electron energies of 15.6, 17.6, 25, and 40 eV

Abstract

Absolute doubly differential cross sections for the electron-impact ionization of atomic hydrogen have been measured from near threshold to intermediate energies. The measurements are calibrated to the well-established, accurate differential cross section for electron-impact excitation of the atomic hydrogen transition H(12S22S+22P). In these experiments background secondary electrons are suppressed by moving the atomic hydrogen target source to and from the collision region. Measurements cover the incident electron energy range of 14.6–40 eV, for scattering angles of 10°–120° and are found to be in very good agreement with the results of the most advanced theoretical models—the convergent close-coupling model and the exterior complex scaling model.