Electron-impact single ionization of the nitrogen atom

Abstract

We study electron-impact single ionization for the nitrogen atom by performing level-to-level calculations. The present study includes direct and indirect processes for all levels of the ground configuration. We explain experimental data using the scaled distorted wave cross-sections. Cross-sections obtained for the highest level of the ground configuration are ~70% larger than the ground one. The contribution of the indirect process is equal to ~5% for the ground level, but this contribution reaches ~30% for the highest level of the ground configuration. Good agreement for the single ionization cross-sections is obtained with values calculated using the B-spline R-matrix with the pseudostates method. We compare our results with data from the standard R-matrix with pseudostates calculations. The cross-sections and Maxwellian rate coefficients are tabulated for the electron-impact collisional ionization and excitation-autoionization processes.