Glow discharge lamps as electron sources for electron impact excitation

It has been found possible to utilize the plasma in the discharge lamp of a conventional ultraviolet photoelectron spectrometer as an electron source for low-energy electron impact excitation. The Nsub(4,5)OO Auger spectra of Xe, and Msub(4,5)NN Auger spectrum of Kr, and the autoionization electron spectra of K and Na vapor have been recorded with a Perkin-Elmer PS-18 photoelectron spectrometer. By comparing these spectra with those excited by filament electron guns the advantages and disadvantages of the two are illustrated. The characteristics of the discharge electron source were deduced, and some possible improvements in its performance are suggested. The autoionization electron spectrum of Na is analyzed by comparison with the data from photoabsorption and Na+-He collisions studies and the L1Lsub(2,3)M1 and L1Lsub(2,3)N1 Coster-Kronig transitions are identified by using equivalent-core approximations. (Auth.)