Absolute Measurement of Total Ionization Cross Section of Mg by Electron Impact

Abstract

Total ionization cross section of Mg by electron impact has been measured absolutely by the crossed beam technique. Intensity of neutral Mg beam is determined by the deposition method. Mg atoms deposited onto a beam collector are quantitatively analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The absolute cross sections at 22.4 eV, 106 eV, 492 eV and 1000 eV are determined to be 9.1, 3.9, 1.7 and 1.0×10 -16 cm 2 , respectively. Systematic errors are estimated to be within -15% and +8%. Relative cross section is obtained as a function of electron energy from the threshold to 1130 eV. The results are compared with some experimental results and theoretical calculations by other workers.