Classical Elastic Differential Cross Sections for Ion-Atom Scattering at keV Energies

Abstract

We present classical calculations of ion-atom elastic differential cross sections for energies between 4 and 627 keV and for a variety of projectile-target combinations. These calculations are based on two new interaction potentials. The first is an extension of Smith's shell potential, and the second is obtained from the unperturbed interaction of the Hartree-Fock-Slater electron densities of the target and projectile. Calculations of cross sections and distances of closest approach for these potentials are compared with predictions of the screened-Coulomb potential and the available experimental data. For collisions between light particles at energies of a few keV the static potential appears to be more accurate than the extended-shell and screened-Coulomb potentials. For collisions between heavier particles both of the new potentials are usually more accurate than the screened-Coulomb potential.