ELECTRON-IMPACT VIBRATIONAL-EXCITATION OF POLYATOMIC-MOLECULES

Vibrational excitation in electron collisions with polyatomic molecule s is reviewed. Theoretical treatments based on the fixed-nuclear-orien tation approximation are summarized. Results of the theoretical studie s of H2O, H2S and CH4 are presented as an example and compared with ex perimental data. A calculation in the Born approximation with a long-r ange electrostatic interaction is also shown. In particular, the usefu lness of the Born approximation with a dipole interaction is examined in detail. Finally possible further improvement of the theory is discu ssed.