Example: electron impact excitation of Mg (3s1So-3p1P1)

Electron impact excitation of optically allowed states of atoms determines the emission and electrical properties of low-temperature plasmas. The cross section of this process is determined within the framework of the modified Born approximation using the similarity function method. This approach requires knowledge of the oscillator strength and the energy of the transition under consideration. The figure below compares the results of calculations of the excitation cross section with the available experimental data. It is seen that the similarity function method provides quantitative agreement with experiment and can be used as a tool of high predictability.