Balmer Emissions Induced by Proton Impact on Molecular Hydrogen

Abstract

Absolute cross sections for the production of ${\mathrm{H}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{\ensuremath{\beta}}$, and ${\mathrm{H}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ emissions by proton impact on molecular hydrogen have been measured. Emissions produced through the process of electron capture into excited states by fast protons are Doppler shifted from emissions produced through dissociative excitation of the target gas, which allows separate measurements of these processes. Comparisons are made with theoretical calculations of proton impact on atomic hydrogen.