Abstract
IN the correlation of the electrical and spectroscopic properties of a glow discharge in a molecular or atomic gas, the need for a rough quantitative analysis of the kinetics of the excitation of the gas soon becomes apparent. In all but the simplest cases, no more than a rough analysis can be attempted with the present scanty experimental and theoretical knowledge of the interaction of slow electrons with atoms and molecules. It is the purpose of this communication to present an empirical form for the excitation probability functions of the atomic and molecular levels which seems to fit the few experimental curves fairly closely, and at least provides a basis for calculation where previously only generalized discussion was possible.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Mott and Massey, "Theory of Atomic Collisions", Chapters 11, 12. Massey and Mohr, Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 132, 605 (1931); 140, 613 (1933). Penney, Phys. Rev., 39, 472 (1932).
Blackett, Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc., 22, 56 (1924).
Lees and Skinner, Nature, 123, 836 (1929); Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 137, 173 (1932).
Klein and Rosseland, Z. Phys., 4, 46 (1921).
Nicholls, Nature [162, 231 (1948)].
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
NICHOLLS, R. Excitation Probability Functions of Atomic and Molecular Energy-Levels. Nature 162, 487–488 (1948). https://doi.org/10.1038/162487b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/162487b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.