ELECTRON-IMPACT CORE EXCITATION OF SF6 .2. GENERALIZED OSCILLATOR-STRENGTHS IN THE S-2P REGION

The generalized oscillator strengths (GOSs) for discrete and continuum S 2p excitations of SF6 have been derived in the momentum transfer ra nge (K-2) of 1-20 a.u.(-2) from the angular variation of the relative differential cross section for inelastic electron scattering. The expe rimental techniques and data processing procedures used to obtain reli able, absolute GOS values are documented. The GOS results are compared to recent literature results [J. F. Ying, C. P. Mathers, and K. T. Le ung, Phys. Rev. A 47, R5 (1993)]. Some discrepancies are noted. These are found to arise largely, but not completely, from differences in th e data analysis procedures used. The Bethe surface for SF6 in the regi on of S 2p excitation is derived and the important role of Compton sca ttering by valence electrons is illustrated.