Low-energy electron elastic scattering from Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Ag, and Cd atoms

Abstract

Electron elastic total cross sections (TCSs) for ground and excited Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Ag and Cd atoms have been investigated in the electron-impact energy range 0 ≤ E ≤ 1 eV. The near-threshold TCSs for both the ground and excited states of these atoms are found to be characterized by Ramsauer-Townsend minima, shape resonances and extremely sharp resonances corresponding to the formation of stable bound negative ions. The recently developed Regge-pole methodology wherein is embedded the crucial electron-electron correlations is employed for the calculations. From the close scrutiny of the imaginary parts of the complex angular momenta, we conclude that these atoms form stable weakly bound ground and excited negative ions as Regge resonances through slow electron collisions. The extracted electron binding energies from the elastic TCSs of these atoms are contrasted with the available experimental and theoretical values.

Multiple anion formation in low energy electron collisions with Tl atoms: Regge-pole prediction

“…We also conclude from the configuration of the resonances and minima in the TCSs for Tl that Tl promises to be a good nanocatalyst (see Ref. [27] for discussions), capable of replacing Au and/or Pt in some applications. This also calls for experimental investigation.…”

“…This also calls for experimental investigation. Finally, we predict the formation as resonances of three stable bound states of the Tl − negative ion during the collision of a slow electron with Tl atoms; the TCSs for Tl are similar to those of the Ag atom [27].…”

“…Most significant here is that the EA of Tl is very close to those of Au and Pt [26] and its TCS resembles those of Au and Pt as well. This con-figuration of resonances and minima in the elastic TCS, typified by those of the Au and Pt TCSs, represents a signature of good nanocatalysts [27]. Perhaps, Tl can replace Au or Pt as a possible nanocatalyst in some situations and reduce the costs significantly.…”

Atomic gold and palladium negative ion-catalysis of water to peroxide: fundamental mechanism

“…The near-threshold electron elastic scattering total cross sections for both the ground and excited states of simple and complex atoms have been found to be characterized by Ramsauer-Townsend minima, shape resonances, and extremely sharp resonances. These dramatically sharp long-lived resonances have been identified with the formation of stable bound states of the relevant negative ions formed during the elastic collision between the incident electron and the target neutral atom as Regge resonances [20,21]. The recently developed Regge-pole, also known as the complex angular momentum (CAM) methodology wherein the crucial electron-electron correlations are embedded has been employed for the calculations.…”

“…The vital core polarization interaction is incorporated through the well-investigated Thomas-Fermi type potential. The great strength and advantages of the CAM method over many existing sophisticated theoretical approaches, particularly the structure-based methods, to calculate accurate low-energy electron scattering resonances, including the attendant extraction of reliable electron affinities of simple and complex atoms, has been carefully discussed in [21]. Reliable atomic and molecular affinities, manifesting the existence of long-lived negative ion formation, are crucial for understanding a large number of chemical reactions involving negative ions [22].…”