Transitions Between the $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{1/2}$ and $^{2}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{3/2}$ Spin-Orbit Components of NO Induced by Impact of Slow Electrons

Transitions Between the ${}^{2}Π_{1 / 2}$ and ${}^{2}Π_{3 / 2}$ Spin-Orbit Components of NO Induced by Impact of Slow Electrons

Michael Allan

Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 063201 – Published 2 August 2004

Abstract

The electron impact cross section for the transition between the ${}^{2}Π_{1 / 2}$ and ${}^{2}Π_{3 / 2}$ spin-orbit components of the ground electronic term of nitric oxide, separated by 15 meV, has been measured as a function of electron energy at a scattering angle of $θ = 135 °$ . It is dominated by the ${}^{3}Σ^{-}$ and the ${}^{1}Δ$ resonances. Its magnitude is very large, at peak about equal to that of the elastic cross section. The elastic cross sections for the two components have also been determined.