Triply differential (e,2e) cross sections for ionization of the nitrogen molecule at large energy transfer

Measurements of the (e,2e) triply differential cross sections (TDCS) are presented for the ionization of the nitrogen molecule in coplanar asymmetric geometry at an incident energy of about 600 eV and a large energy transfer to the target. The experimental results are compared with state-of-the-art available theoretical models for treating differential electron impact ionization of molecules. The experimental TDCS are characterized by a shift towards larger angles of the angular distribution with respect to the momentum transfer direction, and by a large intensity in the recoil region, especially for ionization of the ‘inner’ 2σ g molecular orbital. Such shifts and intensity enhancement are not predicted by the model calculations which rather yield a TDCS symmetrically distributed around the momentum transfer direction. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)