Electron-Photon Coincidence Studies in Sodium

Abstract

Three techniques are described from which the scattering parameters A and X can be measured in electron-photon coincidence studies of the 32P state of sodium. The relative sensitivity of the angular correlation and polarized photon techniques is discussed for states which have significant hyperfine structure in the excited state. The phenomenon of zero field quantum beats is described in the framework of the electron impact excitation of sodium. It is shown that the amplitude of the beat pattern depends on the parameter it. The use of the beat pattern to determine A is discussed.