Near-threshold excitation of the E3Σg+ state of N2 by electron impact

Relative differential cross sections, at 0 degrees, for electron-impact excitation of the E(3)Sigma(g)(+) State of the nitrogen molecule have been measured in the near-threshold energy region. A high-resolution crossed-beam double trochoidal electron spectrometer is used and the cross section is measured directly, by inelastically scattered electrons detection. Measurements are placed on the absolute scale by simultaneous measurement of this process and vibrational excitation of the nu = 8 level of the ground state of N-2 via the (2)Pi(g) resonance. Integral cross sections are obtained by using relative angular distributions from previous measurements, for energies of 11.94 and 12.14 eV. Obtained results are compared with ether available data. [S1050-2947(99)05211-7].