Excitation of the manganese-atom octet states by electron collision

The excitation cross sections and functions of transitions between the octet terms of the manganese atom are measured by the method of intersecting beams. Measurements were conducted over the 2500--5500-A spectral region at energies of 0--200 eV for the incident electrons. Data are obtained on cross sections of the transitions from the n8S and n8D levels to the z8P0 level and from the resonance z8P0 level to the ground state. Peculiarities of the excitation of this level and also a sharp decrease of the excitation cross sections of the octet terms with an increase of the incident electron energy are indicated