Excitation of Fe I and Fe II in electron — atom collisions

Excitation of the presumed laser levels of Fe I and Fe II in electron — atom collisions is studied by the techniques of extended intersecting beams and optical spectroscopy. The total excitation cross sections for the z⁵P₃^o, x⁵D₄^o, and z⁵F₅^o levels of the iron atom were determined. The excitation cross sections were measured for transitions arising from the odd levels of Fe II with an excitation energy ranging from 38 000 to 48 000 cm^-1 relative to the ground level of Fe II.