Electron impact ionization and excitation of laser-excited atoms: investigation by means of electron spectrometry

Abstract We have measured the electron spectra following the excitation and ionization of laser-excited atoms by impact of 1.5 keV electrons: 2p excitation and 2s ionization of Na(3p 3/2 ), 1s excitation of Li(2p 3/2 ) and 5p ionization of Ba(6s5d 1,3 D). Except for Ba the intensities of ejected electrons are directly proportional to the cross sections of Auger and autoionizing states. Theoretical excitation cross sections (Na 2p, Li 1s) are obtained in first Born approximation including the full relaxation of the atomic electrons. Relative ionization cross sections (Na 2s, Ba 5p) are evaluated in sudden approximation as a two-step process: pure 2s(5p) ionization plus relaxation of the rest of the atomic electrons. The experimental spectra are compared to theoretical spectra.