Low-energy electron-impact excitation spectra of formaldehyde,acetaldehyde and acetone

Threshold electron-impact excitation spectra, transmission spectra and n→n^* excitation functions are presented for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone. Formation of temporary negative ion states and their decay-channels are discussed. The electronic transition near 4 eV is shown to be due both to triplet and singlet n→n^* excitation. The energy positions of the ³n→n^* and first triplet Rydberg transition are accurately located. In formaldehyde a new transition is reported at 8.50 eV. Assignments are given for the observed electronic excitation processes.