A phaseshift analysis of experimental angular distributions of electrons elastically scattered from He, Ne and Ar over the range 0.5 to 20 eV

Elastic Scattering of Slow Electrons by Noble Gases—The Effective Range Theory and the Rigid Sphere Model

We report on an extensive semi-empirical analysis of scattering cross-sections for electron elastic collision with noble gases via the Markov Chain Monte Carlo-Modified Effective Range Theory (MCMC−MERT). In this approach, the contribution of the long-range polarization potential (∼r−4) to the scattering phase shifts is precisely expressed, while the effect of the complex short-range interaction is modeled by simple quadratic expression (the so-called effective range expansion with several adjustable parameters). Additionally, we test a simple potential model of a rigid sphere combined with r−4 interaction. Both models, the MERT and the rigid sphere are based on the analytical properties of Mathieu functions, i.e., the solutions of radial Schrödinger equation with pure polarization potential. However, in contrast to MERT, the rigid sphere model depends entirely upon one adjustable parameter—the radius of a hard-core. The model’s validity is assessed by a comparative study against numerous experimental cross-sections and theoretical phase shifts. We show that this simple approach can successfully describe the electron elastic collisions with helium and neon for energies below 1 eV. The purpose of the present analysis is to give insight into the relations between the parameters of both models (that translate into the cross-sections in the very low energy range) and some “macroscopic” features of atoms such as the polarizability and atomic “radii”.

Positron Scattering from Atoms and Molecules

A review on the positron scattering from atoms and molecules is presented in this article. The focus on positron scattering studies is on the rise due to their presence in various fields and application of cross section data in such environments. Positron scattering is usually investigated using theoretical approaches that are similar to those for electron scattering, being its anti-particle. However, most experimental or theoretical studies are limited to the investigation of electron and positron scattering from inert gases, single electron systems and simple or symmetric molecules. Optical potential and polarized orbital approaches are the widely used methods for investigating positron scattering from atoms. Close coupling approach has also been used for scattering from atoms, but for lighter targets with low energy projectiles. The theoretical approaches have been quite successful in predicting cross sections and agree reasonably well with experimental measurements. The comparison is generally good for electrons for both elastic and inelastic scatterings cross sections, while spin polarization has been critical due to its sensitive perturbing interaction. Positron scattering cross sections show relatively less features than that of electron scattering. The features of positron impact elastic scattering have been consistent with experiment, while total cross section requires significant improvement. For scattering from molecules, utilization of both spherical complex optical potential and R-matrix methods have proved to be efficient in predicting cross sections in their respective energy ranges. The results obtained shows reasonable comparison with most of the existing data, wherever available. In the present article we illustrate these findings with a list of comprehensive references to data sources, albeit not exhaustive.

Contribution of electron-atom collisions to the plasma conductivity of noble gases

We present an approach which allows the consistent treatment of bound states in the context of dc conductivity in dense partially ionized noble gas plasmas. Besides electron-ion and electron-electron collisions, further collision mechanisms owing to neutral constituents are taken into account. Especially at low temperatures of 10^{4}to10^{5} K, electron-atom collisions give a substantial contribution to the relevant correlation functions. We suggest an optical potential for the description of the electron-atom scattering which is applicable for all noble gases. The electron-atom momentum-transfer cross section is in agreement with experimental scattering data. In addition, the influence of the medium is analyzed, the optical potential is advanced including screening effects. The position of the Ramsauer minimum is influenced by the plasma. Alternative approaches for the electron-atom potential are discussed. Good agreement of calculated conductivity with experimental data for noble gas plasmas is obtained.

Application of linear response theory to magnetotransport properties of dense plasmas

Linear response theory, as developed within the Zubarev formalism, is a quantum statistical approach for describing systems out of but close to equilibrium, which has been successfully applied to a wide variety of plasmas in an external electric field and/or containing a temperature gradient. We present here an extension of linear response theory to include the effects of an external magnetic field. General expressions for the complete set of relevant transport properties are given. In particular, the Hall effect and the influence of a magnetic field on the dc electrical conductivity are discussed. Low-density limits including electron-electron scattering are presented as well as results for arbitrary degeneracy.

Electrical conductivity of noble gases at high pressures

Theoretical results for the electrical conductivity of noble gas plasmas are presented in comparison with experiment. The composition is determined within a partially ionized plasma model. The conductivity is then calculated using linear response theory, in which the relevant scattering mechanisms of electrons from ions, electrons, and neutral species are taken into account. In particular, the Ramsauer-Townsend effect in electron-neutral scattering is discussed and the importance of a correct description of the Coulomb logarithm in electron scattering by charged particles is shown. A detailed comparison with recent experiments on argon and xenon plasmas is given and results for helium and neon are also revisited. Excellent agreement between theory and experiment is observed, showing considerable improvement upon previous calculations.

Simple method for obtaining electron scattering phase shifts from energies of an atom in a cavity

We present a simple method for obtaining elastic scattering phase shifts and cross sections from precise ab initio many-body perturbation theory energies of atoms in variable cavities. This method does not require calculations of wave functions of continuum states, can be generalized to many atoms and ions, and is extremely convenient because existing codes developed for energy calculations can be used without modification. The high precision of the method and close agreement with experiment are illustrated on examples of e-Ar and e-Kr scattering. Correlations as well as relativistic corrections are systematically considered.

Photoelectron spectroscopy of doped helium nanodroplets

The photoionization dynamics of aniline doped helium droplets has been investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy. The photoelectron spectra resemble closely that of gas phase aniline, except for a droplet-size-dependent shift. This shift is caused by lowering of the ionization threshold upon solvation and can be readily estimated. The individual peaks in the photoelectron spectrum are broadened towards lower kinetic energy which is attributed to the relaxation of the photoelectrons as they pass through the helium droplet.

Deep l-independent potentials from supersymmetric inversion

Central potentials, independent of both the energy and the angular momentum l, are constructed from elastic phase shifts. The ambiguities of a fixed- l inversion are exploited to fit the phase shifts of other partial waves. The fitted quantities are the energy and normalization constant of forbidden bound states, and the small-distance behavior of the potential. The method is based on supersymmetric transformations of the radial Schrodinger equation. It is applied to the alpha+alpha collision in nuclear physics, and to the e(-)+Ne collision in atomic physics.