Differential Cross Sections for Elastic Scattering of Electrons From Molecular Nitrogen

Abstract

In the field of molecular collisions, there has been a kind of rebirth with respect to the scattering of electrons both experimentally and theoretically. From experimental point of view, most data are available only in a limited energy and angular range. From the theoretical side, new and different models have been developed and experimental data is needed to test these theoretical models. The basic concept in elastic scattering of electrons from atoms and molecules is the differential cross-section (DCS). As a function of scattering angle and electron impact energy the cross-sections can be measured and these results reveal important information about projectile, target and also about the atomic and molecular structures. In this work experimentally measured DCSs for elastic scattering of electrons by molecular nitrogen are presented.