Excitation of the electronic states of carbon monoxide by electron impact

Abstract

Differential cross sections for the electron scattering processes: X1 Sigma + to X1 Sigma +, a3 Pi , a'3 Sigma +, (d3 Delta i+e3 Sigma -+I1 Sigma -+D1 Delta ), A1 Pi , b3 Sigma +, B1 Sigma +, j3 Sigma +, (C1 Sigma ++c3 Pi ) and E1 Pi in CO have been determined for incident electron energies 20, 30, 40 and 50 eV. These differential cross sections were obtained for the scattered electron angle range 10-90 degrees by analysing electron-energy-loss spectra in CO at a number of fixed scattering angles within that range. To the best of the authors' knowledge the present study represents the first comprehensive investigation of electron impact excitation of the electronic states of CO to be thus far reported in the literature.