Vibrational excitation of methylamine by electron impact in the 4.5-30 eV energy range

Vibrational excitation of gaseous methylamine induced by 4.5-30 eV energy electrons has been investigated by the electron energy loss spectroscopy. The ratios of the differential cross sections for excitation of the vibrational modes and for elastic scattering measured as a function of the electron kinetic energies show that at 15 and 30 eV, the vibrational excitation occurs mainly through a direct mechanism. The absolute vibrationally elastic and inelastic differential cross sections have been measured at these impact energies. The cross sections for the inelastic scattering are strongly dependent on the vibrational mode which is excited. © 1992 American Institute of Physics.