Resonances in atoms and molecules

OCT 01, 1979

Despite some early indications, largely ignored, resonances in the scattering of electrons by atoms and molecules were unknown until the work of George Schulz in the early 1960’s.

DOI: 10.1063/1.2995241

Manfred A. Biondi

Arvid Herzenberg

Chris E. Kuyatt

Observing resonances in cross‐section‐versus‐energy curves has long been a way of life for nuclear and particle physicists, for whom this is often the only way to detect short‐lived quantum states. Atomic physicists, on the other hand, have traditionally used other means for observing internal energy states of atoms and molecules. But sixteen years ago a resonance in the cross section for electrons scattering off helium changed the tradition, and by now there is a long catalog of observed resonances in atoms and molecules and an accompanying body of theoretical work that seeks to account for the newly discovered states and explain their behavior.

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More about the Authors

Manfred A. Biondi. University of Pittsburgh.

Chris E. Kuyatt. Center for Radiation Research, National Bureau of Standards, Washington, D.C..