Total Electron Scattering Cross Section by Diatomic Molecules

Abstract

Total scattering cross section of electron scattering by diatomic molecule is studied theoretically. Total scattering cross section of electron scattering by diatomic molecule has been calculated via Born Approximation. Model for electron scattering by diatomic H₂, S₂, and O₂ are made. Calculation result is then compared with previously published experimental values by Brunger and Buckman (2002), Naghma et al (2014). Scattering potential involved to represent diatomic molecule is Morse potential. The result shows that the total scattering cross section is decreasing as the incoming electron energy increasing. The calculated value is higher than experimental value. The result shows that below dissociation energy, 4.7 eV, calculated total scattering cross section is increasing as incoming electron energy increasing, might be due to recombination process and detector insensitivity for low energy electron, while for incoming electron energy higher than 4.7 eV, although calculated result gives higher value than experimental result, the experimental data shows similar trend to calculated model. Result is best for energies higher than 60 eV, although still higher than experimental data due to inelastic processes in experimental procedures. Building models for other diatomic molecules and making correction to low energy electron is suggested.

Keywords: electron scattering, diatomic molecule, Born approximation, Morse potential