Electron-impact-induced emission and excitation cross sections of xenon atlow energies

Electron-impact-induced emission spectra of Xe corresponding to the resonan ce transitions in the FUV spectral region from 114-165 nm at 15, 20 and 30 eV impact energies are reported. Absolute emission cross sections correspon ding to the Xe I spectral features at 15, 20 and 30 eV impact energies and optical excitation functions for the two most prominent transitions at 119. 2 and 147.0 nm in the 0-100 eV energy range were measured. In addition, the integral cross sections for direct electron-impact excitation of the corre sponding levels in Xe, obtained by integration of the differential cross se ction measurements of Khakoo et al (Khakoo M A et al 1996 J. Phys. B: At. M el. Opt. Phys. 29 3455, Khakoo M A et al 1996 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phy s. 29 3477) are compared with the present results and the theoretical calcu lations of Csanak (Csanak G 1996 Private communication). A comparison of th e measured emission and integrated direct excitation cross sections is made leading to indirect estimation of the cascade contributions to the emissio n cross sections.