Excitation of Molecular Rotation by Slow Electrons

Abstract

The cross sections for the rotational excitation of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ by slow electrons are evaluated in a distorted-wave approximation with the use of a simple model potential. The changes from the previous Born-approximation results are quite pronounced, particularly for ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$.