Sensitivity of Spin Polarization to Scattering Potential

Abstract

The electron-spin polarization and differential cross section of electrons scattered on gaseous targets have been calculated using three different scattering potentials. The calculations were carried through for electrons with 340-eV incident energy scattered on Hg. The results show that the spin polarization changes very little when the potentials are varied. The differential cross section, however, changed considerably and is therefore of more basic significance than the spin polarization when atomic systems are investigated.