Absolute cross sections for simultaneous ionization and excitation of N₂by electron impact

Cross sections for the excitation of the B 2Σ state of N2+ by electron impact on N2 have been measured using a crossed beam technique. Maximum cross sections for the ν = 0 and ν = 1 levels are 20.5 × 10-18 cm2 and 1.7 × 10-18 cm2 respectively. The ratio of effective cross sections of the (0, 0), (0, 1) and (0, 2) bands of the B 2Σ-X 2Σ system is 1:0.32:0.075. Comparisons are made with theoretical predictions and the results of other workers.