Streuung von 25 keV-Elektronen an Gasen

The angular distribution of 25 kev electrons scattered elastically and inelastically by molecular hydrogen has been measured in the angular range 7·10^?4≦?≦4,3·10^?2. By the separation of the inelastically scattered electrons observation of deviations from the Debye Ehrenfest theory of the electron diffraction by molecules at small angles is possible. These deviations are due to the alteration of the electron density distribution of the hydrogen atoms induced by the bonding. The energy loss spectra at different scattering angles (energy resolution ≈1 ev) shows a strong peak atΔE=12,6 ev. At larger angles forΔE>15 ev a continuum appears. That part of the inelastic processes which leads to ionization of the molecule is raising with increasing scattering angle. Normalization of the experimental values to the theoretical elastic differential cross section enables comparison of the angular distribution of the 12,6 ev energy loss with the distribution calculated byRoscoe. The shape of the experimental curve is in fairly good agreement with the calculated one but the experimental values at small angles are 20–30% higher. For zero angle the energy loss spectrum is taken with better resolution (≈0,04 ev). It shows vibrational states of the Lyman and Werner band and higher terms. The probability of the excitation of some vibrational states of the Werner band (square of the overlapp integral) calculated here is inspite of the required approximations in excellent agreement with the measurement, while Hutchisson's result fails for the Lyman band.