Polarization of Lyman-(alpha) Radiation from Atomic Hydrogen Excited by Electron Impact from Near-Threshold to 1800eV

The polarization of Lyman-(alpha) radiation, produced by electron impact excitation of atomic hydrogen, has been measured for the first time over the extended energy range from near-threshold to 1800eV. Measurements were obtained in a crossed-beams experiment using a silica-reflection linear polarization analyzer in tandem with a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) monochromator to isolate the emitted line radiation.