Cyclotron Resonance in Gases. I. Atoms and Nonpolar Molecules

The cross sections for the scattering of very low-energy electrons, i.e., room-temperature electrons, from N2 molecules have been measured as a function of electron velocity. The cross sections were determined by analyzing the widths and shapes of the cyclotron resonance absorption lines for electrons in an active nitrogen atmosphere. The electron-scattering cross sections for He, H2, D2, Ar, CH4, CD4, and CF4 have also been determined by analyzing the cyclotron resonance linewidths and shapes for electrons in a gaseous mixture of N2 and the other gas studied. The results agree reasonably well with those obtained by different techniques by other workers. No isotope effects were observed.