Electron impact ionization of sodium Rydberg atoms below 2 eV.

We have observed electron impact ionization of highly excited sodium Rydberg atoms in ns and nd states, n=35-51, below E=2 eV electron kinetic energy with energy resolution 0.25 eV. Measured absolute cross sections near 0 eV range from sigma(35d) approximately 7 x 10(-10) to sigma(50d) approximately 4 x 10(-9) cm(2).