Ionization and excitation of nitrogen by protons and hydrogen atoms in the energy range 1-25 keV

Recent measurements of the energy spectra of protons and hydrogen atoms in breakup auroras have found significant fluxes at energies near 1 keV. Cross sections for ionization and light emission for collisions of protons and hydrogen atoms with atmospheric gases are useful in analysis of these auroral events. Atomic beam measurements are reported of ionization and charge-capture cross sections for proton bombardment N2, of ionization and stripping cross sections for hydrogen atom bombardment of N2, and of the relative cross sections for emission of N2(+) 391.4-nm radiation in collisions of protons and hydrogen atoms with N2 in the energy range 1-25 keV. (Author)