The Continuous Electron Affinity Spectrum of Hydrogen

A wave-mechanical calculation has been made of the intensity distribution in the continuous emission spectrum due to the capture of electrons by normal hydrogen atoms and the coefficient of absorption in the corresponding absorption spectrum due to the neutralization of negative hydrogen ions. Approximate wave functions for the continuous range of upper energy levels have been combined with the discrete state wave function for ${\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ given by Hylleraas to give the matrix components for the desired transitions. The computed results are graphically illustrated and their significance discussed. It is shown that an experimental attempt to find the electron affinity emission spectrum of normal hydrogen atoms may encounter at least two difficulties: (1) insufficient intensity compared to that in experiments on the recombination between ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ ions and electrons, and (2) spectral distribution such that the spectral limit is too diffuse for positive identification. The relation of these results to the interpretation of experiments on the electron affinity spectrum of halogen atoms is discussed.