The elastic scattering of twisted electrons by neutral atoms is studied within the fully relativistic framework. The electron-atom interaction is taken into account in all orders, thus allowing us to explore high-order effects beyond the first Born approximation. In order to illustrate these effects, detailed calculations of the total and differential cross sections as well as the degree of polarization of scattered electrons are performed. Together with the analysis of the effects beyond the first Born approximation, we discuss the influence of the kinematic parameters of the incident twisted electrons on the angular and polarization properties of the scattered electrons.

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The two-photon-exchange diagrams for atoms with single valence electron are investigated. Calculation formulas are derived for an arbitrary state within the rigorous bound-state QED framework utilizing the redefined vacuum formalism. In contrast to other methods, the redefined vacuum approach enables the identification of eight gauge-invariant subsets and, thus, efficiently check the consistency of the obtained results. The gauge invariance of found subsets is demonstrated both analytically (for an arbitrary state) as well as numerically for 2s, 2p 1/2 , and 2p 3/2 valence electron in Li-like ions. Identifying gauge-invariant subsets in the framework of the proposed approach opens a way to tackle more complex diagrams, e.g., three-photon exchange, where the fragmentation on simpler subsets is crucial for its successful calculation.