Excitation of nitrogen by fast protons and electrons

Abstract

Cross sections are measured for excitation of the (0, 0) first negative band by protons in the range 5000 to 25,000 ev and by electrons in the range 45 to 25,000 ev. Upper limits are given for the very weak proton excitation of the first and second positive systems. To find the cross sections for the primary collisions and to avoid secondary effects, measurements are extrapolated to zero pressure. Not all intensities emitted are proportional to the pressure. The processes responsible for these deviations, excitation by neutral atoms and collisional deactivation, are investigated.