Analysis of Excitation and Ionization of Atoms and Molecules by Electron Impact, by Afzal Chaudhry and Hans Kleinpoppen, describes in detail the measurements of the partial and total doubly differential cross sections for the multiple-ionization of rare gas atoms by electron impact. These measurements show, among other trends, the role of Auger transitions in the production of multiply ionized atoms in the region where the incident electron energy is sufficient to produce inner shell ionization. Other processes like Coster-Kronig transitions and shake off also contribute towards increasing the charge of the ions. As discussed in the book, an incident electron having energy of 6 keV, for example, in a collision with xenon atom can remove up to nine electrons!
The measurements of doubly differential cross sections for the dissociative and non-dissociative ionization of hydrogen, sulfur dioxide and sulfur hexa fluoride molecular gases are also explored. The results of the measurements for the sulfur dioxide molecule provide strategies for ways in which this major atmospheric pollutant can be removed from the atmosphere by electron impact dissociation.
The book also delves into the present measurements of the polarization parameters of the fluorescence radiation emitted by the excited atoms of sodium and potassium. It thoroughly investigates the excitation of helium atoms and the helium-like alkaline earth metal atoms of calcium and strontium as well.
This book invites the reader to learn more about the excitation and ionization of atoms and molecules by leading to the discovery of new processes and the excitement of surprising results.
Hans Kleinpoppen is Editor of Polarized Electron/Polarized Photon Physics (Springer, 1995) and Selected Topics on Electron Physics (Springer, 1996).
Springer Series on ATOMIC, OPTICAL, AND PLASMA PHYSICS 60 Springer Series on ATOMIC, OPTICAL, AND PLASMA PHYSICS The Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics covers in a comprehensive manner theory and experiment in the entire field of atoms and molecules and their interaction with electromagnetic radiation. Books in the series provide a rich source of new ideas and techniques with wide applications in fields such as chemistry, materials science, astrophysics, surface science, plasma technology, advanced optics, aeronomy, and engineering. Laser physics is a particular connecting theme that has provided much of the continuing impetus for new developments in the field. The purpose of the series is to cover the gap between standard undergraduate textbooks and the research literature with emphasis on the fundamental ideas, methods, techniques, and results in the field. Please view available titles in Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics on series homepage http://www.springer.com/series/411 Afzal Chaudhry Hans Kleinpoppen Analysis of Excitation and Ionization of Atoms and Molecules by Electron Impact Afzal Chaudhry 190 Barclay Court Piscataway, New Jersey 08854 USA
[email protected] Hans Kleinpoppen Stirling University, UK Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Fritz-Haber-Institut Faradayweg 4-6 14195 Berlin Germany
[email protected] Springer Series on Atomic, Optical, and Plasma Physics ISBN 978-1-4419-6946-0 e-ISBN 978-1-4419-6947-7 DOI 10.1007/978-1-4419-6947-7 Springer New York Heidelberg Dordrecht London ISSN 1615-5653 Library of Congress Control Number: 2010936346 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011 All rights