Production of H Atoms in the3sState by the Impact of Fast Ground-State H Atoms onN2

Abstract

Cross sections for the production of hydrogen atoms in the $3s$ state by the impact of ground-state hydrogen atoms on nitrogen molecules have been measured in the kinetic energy range 10-35 keV. The cross-section curve appears to have a maximum at the lower energies of about 4 × ${10}^{-18\mathrm{}}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^2$. This value is roughly 2½ times less than the maximum cross section for producing $3s$ atoms through electron capture by proton impact on nitrogen molecules in the same energy range.