Excitation of then=2state of atomic hydrogen by electron impact in the distorted-wave approximation

Abstract

The differential cross sections for excitation of the $n=2\mathrm{}$ state of atomic hydrogen by the impact of electrons with energies of 54, 100, 136, and 200 eV are calculated in the distorted-wave approximation with exchange included. Cross sections for excitation of the $2s_{\frac{1}{2}}$, $2p_{\frac{1}{2}}$, and $2p_{\frac{3}{2}}$ states are calculated and summed to give the $n=2\mathrm{}$ differential cross sections. The results of this calculation are compared with previous theoretical calculations and with recent absolute experimental data.