K-shell excitations in NO and O2 by 2.5 keV electron impact
Abstract Energy loss spectra of 2.5 keV electrons, scattered by NO and O 2 through small angles, have been studied in the regions of the respective nitrogen and oxygen K-edges. The spectra are similar to those for the diatomic molecules N 2 and CO in that they are dominated by the first discrete transition. The nitrogen and oxygen K-shell spectra of nitric oxide are in qualitative agreement with that expected from an O 2 and NF description respectively of the K-shell excited molecule. Similarly the ionization potential of the oxygen monofluoride (OF) radical, deduced from the oxygen K-shell spectrum of molecular oxygen, is in fair agreement with experimental and theoretical values.