Electron-impact excitation of Rydberg and valence electronic states of nitric oxide: I. Differential cross sections

Differential cross sections for 18 excited electronic states and 4 composit e excited electronic states in nitric oxide (NO) have been determined for i ncident electron energies of 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 eV. These differential c ross sections were obtained for the scattered electron angle range 10 degre es-90 degrees by analysing electron energy-loss spectra in NO at a number o f fixed scattering angles within that range. This study appears to be the f irst comprehensive investigation of electron-impact excitation of the elect ronic states of NO to be reported in the literature.