Electron Impact Ionization

It is perhaps surprising that a process which was one of the first to be studied on an atomic scale, and a process which first received attention over seven decades ago, continues to be the object of diverse and intense research efforts. Such is the case with the (seemingly) conceptually simple and familiar mechanism of electron­ impact ionization of atoms, molecules, and ions. Not only has the multi-body nature of the collision given ground to theoretical effort only grudgingly, but also the variety and subtlety of processes contributing to ionization have helped insure that progress has come only with commensurate work: no pain - no gain. Modern experimental methods have made it possible to effectively measure and explore threshold laws, differential cross sections, partial cross sections, inner-shell ionization, and the ionization of unstable species such as radicals and ions. In most instances the availability of experimental data has provided impetus and guidance for further theoretical progress. Front Matter....Pages I-XI Quantum Theoretical Methods for Calculating Ionization Cross Sections....Pages 1-23 Semi-Empirical and Semi-Classical Approximations for Electron Ionization....Pages 24-41 Threshold Behaviour of Ionization Cross-Sections....Pages 42-88 Differential Ionization Cross Sections....Pages 89-136 Partial Ionization Cross Sections....Pages 137-197 Innershell Ionization Cross Sections....Pages 198-231 Total Ionization Cross Sections....Pages 232-276 Electron-Ion Ionization....Pages 277-319 Applications....Pages 320-375 Back Matter....Pages 376-384 Edited By Tilmann D. Märk, Gordon H. Dunn.