The search for molecular-field effects in Bremsstrahlung for selected gas targets for electron bombarding energies of 5, 10, and 15 keV

Abstract

A relative measurement of the doubly differential cross section for electron molecular-field bremsstrahlung (MDDBC), differential in photon energy and angle on selected gas targets is reported. Data for MDDBC have been taken for electron bombarding energies ranging from 5 keV (3 keV in the case of N(,2)) to 15 keV on target gases of SF(,6), SO(,2), H(,2)S, C(,2)H(,6), C(,2)H(,4), C(,2)H(,2), C(,4)H(,10), N(,2), H(,2), He and Ne for an emission angle of 90 degrees with respect to the electron beam and to the incoming gas beam. The hypothesis of additivity for electron bremsstrahlung cross sections was verified for all gases tested with the exception of H(,2) and N(,2). Poor fits between the H(,2) data and theory, in both ratio and direct fits, suggests the H theoretical cross section calculations may be incorrect. The N(,2) data at the lower electron bombarding energies showed discrepancies between the data and the applicable theories. A molecular-field effect is inferred.