Initial vibrational and rotational yields from subexcitation electrons in molecular hydrogen

Journal Article · Sat Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/165073· OSTI ID:6466847

Douthat, D A

As the energy of a single source electron injected into a molecular gas is degraded through collisions, initial products include secondary electrons, ions, and excited molecules. Electrons with kinetic energies less than the minimum required for excitation of the lowest electronic state are given the designation subexcitation electrons. These electrons are still capable of exciting vibrational and rotational states of molecular gases. In this calculation, the initial numbers of vibrational and rotational excitations (yields) produced as the subexcitation electrons undergo further energy degradation are determined for molecular hydrogen. The calculation requires a complete set of cross section data for numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation. The initial energy distribution of electrons is taken to be the subexcitation distribution which was determined previously. The initial yields are tabulated for gas temperatures from 50 K to 1500 K for a source electron with initial energy 10 keV. 26 references.

• Research Organization: Alaska Univ., Anchorage
• OSTI ID: 6466847
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 314; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SPECTRA
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
FERMIONS
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
LEPTONS
MOLECULES
NONMETALS
SPACE
SPECTRA