Experimental Low Energy, Differential-Angle Electron Scattering from Atomic and Molecular Targets *

Abstract: We will present experimental work done in the last 5 years in our laboratory at CSUF on the determination of differential cross sections (DCS) or DCS ratios for electron scattering from gaseous targets. The targets are:

H₂: We will present inelastic scattering excitation DCSs for excitation of the X¹Σ⁺_g → b³Σ⁺_u, B¹Σ⁺_u, c³Π_u, a³Σ⁺_u, C¹Π_u and E(F)¹Σ⁺_g transitions from » 2 eV to » 6 eV above threshold, using a time-of-flight electron spectrometer and a conventional electrostatic electron spectrometer. Theory has been from the Curtin University, Australia group’s Molecular Convergent Close-coupling model.

CO: Here we have measured inelastic scattering excitation DCSs for excitation of the X¹Σ⁺_g → a³Π, a^’3Σ⁺and A¹Π transitions from ∼ 0.3 eV to ∼ 13.5 eV above threshold. Theory has been from the UCL, UK group’s Molecular Rmatrix model.

Kr and Xe: We have measured inelastic scattering excitation DCSs ratios mainly for excitation of the np⁶ (¹S₀) → np⁴ n+1s (^1,3P_2,1,0) transitions from ∼ 0.3 eV to ∼» 13.5 eV above threshold. Theory has been from the Drake University, IA, USA group’s Rmatrix B-splines model.

Gaseous Nitriles: We will present progress on elastic electron scattering DCSs using the relative flow method for nitriles (X-C≡N), viz. HCN, CH₃CN, C₂H₅CN, C₃H₇CN, C₆H₅CN for incident electron energies of 1eV to 30 eV. Theory has been from the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil group’s Schwinger Multi-Channel method.