Large-angle electron scattering (e-2e) studies of the cadmium (4d ⁹5s²5p) 12.81 eV autoionising level

Electron impact excitation of the (4d⁹5s²5p) 12.81 eV autoionising level of cadmium vapour atoms has been investigated for an incident electron beam kinetic energy of 150 eV. The angular distribution of electrons inelastically scattered through angles of up to 80 degrees and the coincidence angular distribution of autoionised electrons for a set of scattering angles between 7 and 24 degrees have been measured using a microcomputer-controlled coincidence spectrometer. The data are compared with the DWBA calculations of Balashov et al. (1982). Good agreement is obtained for scattering angles of less than 20 degrees ; thereafter both sets of data diverge from theory, possibly due to electron-exchange effects.