DIFFERENTIAL CROSS-SECTIONS FOR THE ELECTRON-IMPACT EXCITATION OF THE 32P1/2,3/2 RESONANCE LEVELS OF SODIUM

Differential cross sections for the electron impact excitation of the 32P1/2,3/2 resonance levels of sodium have been measured for incident energies of 54.4, 100, 150 and 217.7 eV over an angular range of 2 to 145 degrees using a modulated crossed-beam technique. The results are compared with the first Born approximation and a close-coupling impact-parameter calculation. None of these approximations are in agreement with the data over the entire angular range. Integrated total cross sections are presented at each energy which show excellent agreement with previous experimental and theoretical work.