Electron impact excitation of the resonance transitions of Li, Na and K

A unitarised distorted-wave polarised-orbital model is used to investigate electron impact excitation of the Li, Na and K resonance transitions at low and intermediate energies. Results are presented for integral (total) cross sections, differential cross sections, coincidence parameters, and, for K, spin-flip differential cross sections. They are compared where possible with experiment and other theoretical models. The evaluation of the adiabatic polarisation interaction is discussed. Core-exchange effects are investigated for the case of Na. Tables of T-matrix elements are available for all three cases to aid in interpretation of photon-electron coincidence experiments.