Electron-hydrogen excitation to the n=3 and n=4 levels in the Glauber approximation

Abstract

We have calculated the differential and integrated cross sections for excitation of atomic hydrogen to its n=3 and n=4 levels by electron impact using the Glauber approximation. Results are compared with measurements at 20, 30, 40, and 60 eV and also shown for 120 and 480 eV. At momentum transfers not too large at all energies considered, the calculated n=3 differential cross sections are qualitatively similar to but a factor of somewhat less than 3 larger than the calculated n=4 cross sections. The calculated integrated cross sections attain broad maxima near 41 eV.