Method of determining absolute cross sections of collisions of the second kind between Hg(63P0,2) atoms and slow electrons

An equation giving the absolute cross sections q₂₁(u) of collisions of the second kind between excited atoms and slow electrons is obtained. The determination of q₂₁(u) entails measurement of the current on the collector which is due to collisions of the second kind and the effective life of the investigated level. The value of q₂₁(u) and Hg(6³P_0,2) was calculated. The value of q₂₁(u) was determined for the following slow-electron energies: in the case of Hg(6³P₀) q₂₁(u)=2.6 · 10^–15 cm² for u=0.13 eV and for Hg(6³P₂) q₂₁(u)=1.1 · 10^–15 cm² for u=0.3 eV. The obtained results are compared with other experimental and theoretical data and are discussed.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika No. 2, pp. 42–45, February 1975.