Electron-impact excitation of X Σg+1 (v″ =0) to the a″ Σg+1, b Πu1, c3 Πu1, o3 Πu1, b′ Σu+1, c4′ Σu+1, G Πu3, and F Πu3 states of molecular nitrogen

Measurements of differential cross sections (DCSs) for electron-impact excitation of the a″ Σg+1, b Πu1, c3 Πu1, o3 Πu1, b′ Σu+1, c4′ Σu+1, G Πu3, and F Πu3 states in N2 from the X Σg+1 (v″ =0) ground level are presented. The DCSs were obtained from energy-loss spectra in the region of 12 to 13.82 eV measured at incident energies of 17.5, 20, 30, 50, and 100 eV and for scattering angles ranging from 2° to 130°. The analysis of the spectra follows a different algorithm from that employed in a previous study of N2 for the valence states [Khakoo Phys. Rev. A 71, 062703 (2005)], since the Πu1 and Σu+1 states form strongly interacting Rydberg-valence series. The results are compared with existing data.