Differential cross sections for the electron impact excitation of the A 3Σu+, B 3Πg, W 3Δu, B′ 3Σu-, a′ 1Σu-, a 1Πg, w 1Δu, and C 3Πu states of N2 -: art. no. 062703

Measurements of differential cross sections for the electron-impact excitation of molecular nitrogen from the ground X (1)Sigma(g) (+)(v''=0) level to the A (3)Sigma(u) (+)(v(')), B (3)Pi(g)(v(')), W (3)Delta(u)(v(')), B-' (3)Sigma(u)(-)(v(')), a(') (1)Sigma(u) (-)(v(')), a (1)Pi(g)(v(')), w (1)Delta(u)(v(')), and C (3)Pi(u)(v(')) levels are presented. The data are obtained at the incident energies of 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 30, 50, and 100 eV over the angular range of 5 degrees-130 degrees in 5 degrees intervals. The individual electronic state excitation differential cross sections are obtained by unfolding electron energy-loss spectra of molecular nitrogen using available semiempirical Frank-Condon factors. The data are compared to previous measurements and to available theory. We also make several important suggestions regarding future work that, like the present, relies on the unfolding of electron energy-loss spectra for obtaining differential cross sections.