Near-Threshold Electron Impact Excitation of Molecular Nitrogen

We present electron energy-loss (EEL) derived excitation cross sections for near-threshold electron impact of N$_{2}$. Differential cross sections (DCSs) and integral cross sections (ICSs) were obtained by unfolding EEL spectra in the $\sim6-11$eV range for the $\it{A}$ $^{3}\Sigma_{\it{u}}^{+}$, $\it{B}$ $^{3}\Pi_{\it{g}}$, $\it{W}$ $^{3}\Delta_{\it{u}}$, $\it{B}^{\prime}$ $^{3}\Sigma_{\it{u}}^{-}$, $\it{a}^{\prime}$ $^{1}\Sigma_{\it{u}}^{-}$, $\it{a}$ $^{1}\Pi_{\it{g}}$, and $\it{w}$ $^{1}\Delta_{\it{u}}$ electronic states over the $\sim0-130^{\circ}$ scattering angular range. Vibrationally-resolved DCSs and ICSs were obtained for stronger vibronic transitions, including the $\it{a}$ $^{1}\Pi_{\it{g}}$ state, which generates the atmospherically important Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) emissions. The summed near-threshold excitation cross sections ($\it{A}$+$...$+$\it{w}$) generally are larger than previous measurements.