Excitation of atoms to states of high orbital momentum

Abstract

High-l states of atoms, though statistically predominant, have not been studied much in the laboratory. They should, however, be excited in electron-atom collisions at energies within a fraction of 1 eV above or below the ionization threshold. This qualitative prediction derives from the Wannier theory (1953) and is, in fact, implied by Cvejanovic and Read's recent angular distribution experiment (1974). Application of the same theory below threshold provides a qualitative interpretation of a related experiment.