Analysis of the ambiguities in the definition of the local complex potential in resonant electron-molecule scattering
- 14 March 1983
- journal article
- Published by IOP Publishing in Journal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics
- Vol. 16 (5), 875-890
- https://doi.org/10.1088/0022-3700/16/5/019
Abstract
The alternative definitions of the local complex potential for nuclear motion in short-lived electronic states are discussed. It is shown that different definitions may yield very different potentials in the case of broad resonances. Within an exactly solvable model the electron scattering cross sections calculated in the various local approximations are compared with one another and with the exact results. It is found that there is no generally preferable local potential. The local potential obtained by a Breit-Wigner analysis of the phaseshift gives superior results in the elastic channel, whereas the local potential determined from the pole of the S matrix yields better results in the vibrationally inelastic channels. As a by-product of the analysis, it is found that wildly differing local complex potentials may yield very similar electron scattering cross sections. This casts serious doubts on the uniqueness and reliability of empirical local complex potentials obtained by fitting experimental scattering cross sections.Keywords
This publication has 43 references indexed in Scilit:
- Local against non-local complex potential in resonant electron-molecule scatteringJournal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics, 1981
- Complex potential and electron spectrum in atomic collisions involving fast electronic transitions: Penning and associative ionizationPhysical Review A, 1978
- Electron-molecule interactions. III. A pseudo-potential method for e--N2scatteringJournal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics, 1972
- Vibrational excitation of N2by resonance scattering of electronsJournal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics, 1971
- Electron-molecule interactions. II. Scattering by closed-shell diatomic moleculesJournal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics, 1970
- Resonant scattering of electrons by moleculesReports on Progress in Physics, 1968
- Configuration interaction in the continuum states of moleculesJournal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics, 1968
- Vibrational excitation and dissociative attachment in the scattering of electrons by hydrogen moleculesProceedings of the Physical Society, 1966
- Electron resonances of the H2-ionProceedings of the Physical Society, 1966
- Capture of Slow NeutronsPhysical Review B, 1936