Electron impact threshold excitation of N₂by the trapped-electron method

The threshold excitation spectrum of N 2 by electron impact in the 6-13 eV energy range, obtained by the trapped-electron method, is characterized by excitation of triplet states. The shape of the spectrum between 9.6 eV and 11.6 eV suggests the excitation of a repulsive or slightly stable state, which could be the 5 Sigma + g state or some presently unknown state. In the 11.85-12.45 eV energy range the spectrum shows structure, which can be closely related to the resonances seen in transmission experiments.