Vibrational-excitation cross sections of molecular oxygen by electron impact.

Abstract

Using a crossed-beam technique, we have measured differential vibrational-excitation cross sections of the electronic ground state of molecular oxygen by electron impact. The angular range covered was from 12\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 156\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, while the incident energy range of the electrons was from 5 to 15 eV. Integrated cross sections and vibrational-state energies were also obtained. The cross sections exhibit a maximum near 10 eV incident energy.