Electron Impact Ionization of Metastable States of Diatomic Molecules

The Binary-Encounter Bethe approach was applied to the estimation of total ionization induced by electron impact in metastable states of diatomic molecules. The cross sections recently obtained for N2 and CO are reviewed and the new results for H2 are presented, discussing their reliability through the comparison with other theoretical methods.

Analytical Cross Section Approximation for Electron Impact Ionization of Alkali and Other Metals, Inert Gases and Hydrogen Atoms

The paper presents an analysis of data on the cross sections of electron impact ionization of atoms of alkali metals, hydrogen, noble gases, some transition metals and Al, Fe, Ni, W, Au, Hg, U. For the selected sets of experimental and theoretical data, an optimal analytical formula is found and approximation coefficients are calculated. The obtained semi-empirical formula reproduces the values of the ionization cross sections in a wide range of energies with an accuracy of the order of error of the available theoretical and experimental data.

Triply Differential Positron and Electron Impact Ionization of Argon: Systematic Features and Scaling

Triply differential data are presented for the 200 eV positron and electron impact ionization of argon. Six electron emission energies between 2.6 and 19 eV, and for scattering angles of 2, 3, and 4 degrees cover a momentum transfer range of 0.16 to 0.31 a.u. The binary and recoil intensities are fitted using a double peak structure in both regions, which, for the present kinematic conditions, are unresolved. The fitted peak intensities and angular positions are shown to have systematic dependences as a function of the momentum transfer and kinematic emission angle, respectively, and illustrate projectile charge effects. A comparison with available theories is made where it is seen that the most notable differences include the fact that for the binary lobe, the observed intensity for emission angles around 100° is absent in the theories, and the theoretical predications overestimate the importance of recoil interactions.

Estimation of Electron Impact Ionization Rates of Li Using a Non-Maxwellian Distribution Function

We report an estimate of the cross-section and rate of electron-impact ionization of Li. The FAC code (Flexible Atomic Code) is used in order to determine the cross-section and to calculate the level of energy. We evaluate the effect of electron energy distribution functions on the measurement of the ionization rate for a non-Maxwellian energy distribution, if the fraction of hot electrons is small. In several types of plasma, it has been observed that certain (hot) electrons are governed by a non-Maxwellian energy distribution. These electrons affect the line spectra and other characteristics of plasma. By using a non-Maxwellian distribution of energies, we revealed the sensitivity of the electron-impact ionization rate of Li to types of the electron energy distribution and to the fraction of hot electrons.