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A detailed investigation of excitation of He (1s2) 1S to He (1snp) 1P degree(s) (n equals 2 - 5) states and ionization-excitation of He (1s2) 1S to He (2p) 2P degree(s) and He (3p) 2P degree(s) states in e- + He and H+ + He collision systems is presented for a wide range of projectile velocities (2.2 a.u. < v < 6.9 a.u.). Specifically new experimental data are presented on measurements of the degree of linear polarization for excitation and excitation-ionization of He following proton impact in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths. These measurements have been performed using a characterized molybdenum/silicon multilayer mirror polarimeter (MLM) whose polarization characteristics have been optimized for EUV emission of He and He+. Furthermore, the proton experimental results are compared with theoretical polarization data using the first Born approximation and recent atomic orbital close coupling (AOCC) calculations for the excitation process. A comprehensive comparison of experimental data for negatively and positively charged projectiles at equal impact velocities is also given in order to elucidate differences in the collision mechanisms of two electron targets. It is important to note that these results are relevant for astrophysical diagnostics such as solar flares.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

New experimental results are presented on measurements of the degree of linear polarization for ionization-excitation of He following electron and proton impact on a He gas target. These measurements have been performed using an optically characterized molybdenum/silicon (Mo/Si) multilayer mirror (MLM) polarimeter whose reflection and polarization characteristics have been optimized for the 304 angstrom wavelength region. In particular, the polarization of the photon emission from the decay of HeII (2p) 2P0 yields (1s) 2S with a wavelength of 304 Angstrom (Lyman (alpha) of HeII) has been measured for electron impact energies ranging from threshold to 1500 eV. These results are compared with polarization measurements of HeII Lyman (alpha) following proton impact on He for 187 to 460 keV beam energy corresponding to 2.7 a.u. less than v less than 4.3 a.u. projectile velocities. The integral alignment parameter A0 is also provided for negatively and positively charged particle impact to elucidate similarities and differences in the collision dynamics of two electron targets such as helium. Such results are of importance for astrophysical and laboratory plasma diagnostics.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.