ELECTRON-IMPACT EXCITATION OF THE 6S6P AND 6S7S STATES OF MERCURY AT ENERGIES OF 12.2 AND 15 EV

Differential cross sections for electron impact excitation of the 6s6p P-3(0), P-3(1), P-3(2), P-1(1) and 6s7s S-3(1), S-1(0) states of merc ury have been measured at the incident energies of 12.2 and 15 eV and over the range of scattering angles from 10-120 degrees. The cross sec tions for the 6s6p states at 15 eV are compared with the results of re cent relativistic distorted-wave calculations. The integral cross sect ions for the 6s6p states have also been obtained, and are compared wit h those used in electron swarm studies of mercury.