Electron-Impact-Induced Excitation of Glutamine Molecules

The excitation of glutamine molecules in the gas phase by collisions with low-energy (1–100 eV) electrons has been studied by optical spectroscopy techniques. The emission spectra of excited molecules were measured in a wavelength interval of 250–520 nm. It is established that the electron-impact-induced decay of glutamine molecules leads most efficiently to the formation of OH groups and some other molecular fragments, as well as excited hydrogen atoms. The excitation threshold energies are within 10–12 eV for molecular emissions and amount to 13–15 eV for atomic hydrogen emission lines. The energy dependences of the optical excitation functions of particular emission lines are determined in a range from the excitation threshold up to 50 eV.