A study of electron impact excitation of the A2Σ+ state of nitric oxide in the near-threshold energy range

Excitation of the Rydberg A2Σ+ state of nitric oxide has been studied by electron impact in the energy region from threshold to 15 eV using an optical method. Absolute emission cross-sections of 13 bands of the γ-system (A2Σ+→X2Πr transition) and integral cross-sections for excitation of the v=0 and 1 vibrational levels of the A2Σ+ state have been determined. Emission spectra of nitric oxide have been also obtained for selected values of incident electron energy.