Angular distributions and critical minima in the elastic scattering of electrons by atomic copper

Abstract

Dirac relativistic partial wave analysis has been employed to analyze the angular distributions and critical minima, along with maximum spin polarization, for the elastic scattering of electrons from copper atoms over the energy range of 1 to 2000 eV. Integrated elastic, inelastic, total, and momentum transfer cross sections have also been calculated. This work uses a complex electron‐atom optical potential that includes static, exchange, correlation‐polarization, and absorption potentials. Comparison of our calculations with the available experimental data and other theoretical calculations shows satisfactory agreement. As far as we are concerned, critical minima and corresponding maximum spin polarization points have not yet been reported in the literature.