Electron excitation of vibrational states of D2 and H2 and detection of excited states by laser-induced fluorescence

Measurements and analyses are reported for the vibrational excitation of D2 and H2 by low and moderate energy electrons. The measurements were made using the electron drift tube technique. The vibrationally excited D2 and H2 are detected by the transfer of excitation to CO or CO2 and the measurement of the intensity of 4.7 micrometer or 4.3 micrometer infrared emission. The derived cross sections for the vibrational excitation of D2 are significantly smaller than the corresponding cross sections for H2. Apparatus has been constructed and tested for the measurement of the density of excited H2 in the c3 Pi metastable state by laser induced fluorescence and laser absorption techniques.