Alignment and orientation of diatomic molecules induced by polarized electron impact

Authors

Jack W. Maseberg, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow
Timothy J. Gay, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2010

Comments

Published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series 212 (2010) 012021

Abstract

We report measurements of linear and circular fluorescence polarizations for molecular transitions in H₂, D₂, and N₂ induced by spin-polarized electron impact. Circular polarizations resulting from some Fulcher-α transitions in H₂ and D₂ are found to be significant, while the null results from nitrogen’s second positive system are consistent with an earlier measurement by the Münster group. We compare this nitrogen data to that from our previous study of nitrogen’s first negative system. Emphasis is placed on understanding the mechanisms that cause the values of circular polarization from N₂ to be relatively small compared to those observed from H₂ and D₂ molecules.