THE ELECTRON IMPACT SPECTRA OF $CH_{4}$ AND $CF_{4}$

Abstract

The electron impact spectra of the $CH_{4}$ and $CF_{4}$ have been studied with electrons having an incident energy of 400 eV and 500 eV and at scattering angles from $0^{\circ}$ to $5^{\circ}$. Comparison of these spectra with photo-electron spectra of the same $compounds^{1}$ indicates that several of the transitions in the electron impact spectra are members of Rydberg series for Rydberg orbitals of the carbon atom. In addition, this comparison suggests that the excited states of $CH_{4}$ are subject to a Jahn-Teller effect. The effect of this Jahn-Teller distortion of the excited state upon the differential cross section for electron scattering will be discussed. Present address of William R. Harshbarger: Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974