ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION OF LYMAN-$alpha$ RADIATION EMITTED BY H (2S) ATOMS IN WEAK ELECTRIC FIELDS

S>The angular distribution of the Lyman- alpha radiation emitted by hydrogen atoms in the 2S state upon the application of an electric field is studied by considering the 2P/sub 1/2/ levels; the radiation is found to be completely unpolarized and its angular distribution isotropic. The consequences of this result for the value of the absolute cross section for excitation of the 2S state of hydrogen by electron impact are discussed. (D.L.C.)