Near threshold polarisation and excitation functions of Xe atoms

Abstract
Presents experimental data for the angular intensity distribution of ultraviolet photons emitted from the first excited state of Xe with configurations 5p56s 3P1 and 1P1 with respect to the electron-beam direction. The measurements were carried out at energies near the excitation threshold. The polarisation of the ultraviolet radiation was obtained from the theoretical relation between the angular intensity distribution I( theta ) and the polarisation P, (i.e. I( theta )=I(90 degrees ) (1-Pcos2 theta ). A large negative polarisation was observed near the excitation threshold. The authors also present the excitation function of the above states of Xe for observation under 105 degrees .