Parametrization of Electron-Impact Ionization Cross Sections from Laser-Excited and Aligned Atoms

A set of parameters describing electron-impact ionization from laser-aligned atoms are reported, which define the “length”, “width”, and “direction” of the quadruple differential cross section (QDCS) as a function of target alignment kB for fixed ingoing electron momentum k0 and outgoing momenta k1, k2. 24Mg was used, with k0, k1, k2, and kB in the same plane. The parameters are derived for a range of k2 angles, with k1 set at 30° to k0. The QDCS is then determined for all kB. The parameters are very angle sensitive, the QDCS direction varying more than 90° as the length to width ratio varied more than an order of magnitude

Open Access Issues and Potential Solutions Workshop

This report provides a summary of the discussion and findings of the Open Access Issues and Potential Solutions workshop held as part of the End-to-End Project. The workshop was highly interactive and feedback received indicated it was extremely valuable, stimulating a useful exchange of ideas

Total cross sections for positron scattering from H2 at low energies

This paper revisits positron scattering from molecular hydrogen, in an attempt to provide accurate total cross-section data against which theoretical calculations might be benchmarked. The present data were measured over the energy range 0.1–50 eV and, where possible, are compared to results from previous experiments and calculations. Agreement with the earlier data was typically very good at energies above 10 eV but becomes progressively more marginal as we go to lower energies. None of the current theories quantitatively reproduce our measurements over the entire energy range, although at a qualitative level the main features driving the scattering dynamics are apparent

Comparison of experimental and theoretical electron-impact-ionization triple-differential cross sections for ethane

We have recently examined electron-impact ionization of molecules that have one large atom at the center, surrounded by H nuclei (H2O, NH3, CH4). All of these molecules have ten electrons; however, they vary in their molecular symmetry. We found that the triple-differential cross sections (TDCSs) for the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) were similar, as was the character of the HOMO orbitals which had a p-type “peanut” shape. In this work, we examine ethane (C2H6) which is a molecule that has two large atoms surrounded by H nuclei, so that its HOMO has a double-peanut shape. The experiment was performed using a coplanar symmetric geometry (equal final-state energies and angles). We find the TDCS for ethane is similar to the single-center molecules at higher energies, and is similar to a diatomic molecule at lower energies

Low Energy (e,2e) Studies from CH₄: Results from Symmetric Coplanar Experiments and Molecular Three-Body Distorted Wave Theory

Low energy experimental and theoretical triply differential cross sections are presented for electron impact ionization of methane (CH4) for both the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and next highest occupied molecular orbital (NHOMO). The HOMO is a predominantly p-type orbital which is labeled 1t2 and the NHOMO is predominantly s-type labeled 2a 1. Coplanar symmetric (symmetric both in final state electron energies and observation angles) are presented for final state electron energies ranging from 2.5 to 20 eV. The theoretical M3DW (molecular three-body distorted wave) results are in surprisingly good agreement with experiment for the HOMO state and less satisfactory agreement for the NHOMO state. The molecular NHOMO results are also compared with the ionization of the 2s shell of neon which is the isoelectronic atom

Comparison of Experiment and Theory for Electron Impact Ionization of Isoelectronic Atoms and Molecules

Experimental and Theoretical Triply Differential Cross sections will be presented for low energy electron impact ionization of Ne, CH4, and NH3. The collision mechanisms responsible for the various structures found in the cross sections will be discussed

Low Energy (e,2e) Coincidence Studies of NH₃: Results from Experiment and Theory

Experimental and theoretical triple differential cross sections (TDCS) from ammonia are presented in the low energy regime with outgoing electron energies from 20 eV down to 1.5 eV. Ionization measurements from the 3a1, 1e1, and 2a1 molecular orbitals were taken in a coplanar geometry. Data from the 3a1 and 1e1 orbitals were also obtained in a perpendicular plane geometry. The data are compared to predictions from the distorted wave Born approximation and molecular-three-body distorted wave models. The cross sections for the 3a1 and 1e1 orbitals that have p-like character were found to be similar, and were different to that of the 2a1 orbital which has s-like character. These observations are not reproduced by theory, which predicts the structure of the TDCS for all orbitals should be similar. Comparisons are also made to results from experiment and theory for the iso-electronic targets neon and methane

Low Energy (e,2e) Measurements of Ch⁴ and Neon in the Perpendicular Plane

Low energy experimental and theoretical triple differential cross sections for the highest occupied molecular orbital of methane (1t2) and for the 2p atomic orbital of neon are presented and compared. These targets are iso-electronic, each containing 10 electrons and the chosen orbital within each target has p-electron character. Observation of the differences and similarities of the cross sections for these two species hence gives insight into the different scattering mechanisms occurring for atomic and molecular targets. The experiments used perpendicular, symmetric kinematics with outgoing electron energies between 1.5 eV and 30 eV for CH4 and 2.5 eV and 25 eV for neon. The experimental data from these targets are compared with theoretical predictions using a distorted-wave Born approximation. Reasonably good agreement is seen between the experiment and theory for neon while mixed results are observed for CH4. This is most likely due to approximations of the target orientation made within the model