Abstract

A theory is proposed for transitions between low-lying energy levels of lanthanide and actinide atoms. Inelastic electron scattering is studied for the range of impact energies below a few electron volt. The quadrupole interaction between the incident and the atomic valence electrons plays an important role. It changes the manner of angular momentum couplings between the outermost valence electron shell and the incompletely occupied f-electron subshell, resulting in atomic inelastic transitions. This special circumstance allows us to formulate the process in analogy with the theory of molecular rotational excitation by low energy electron impact.

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