Calculating electron-impact ionization cross sections for molecules without making orientation averaging approximation

ORAL

Abstract

We have been using the M3DW (molecular 3-body distorted wave) approximation plus the OAMO (orientation averaged molecular orbital) to calculate cross sections for electron-impact ionization of molecules. The approximation yielded good agreement with experiment for H$_{2}$ and reasonable agreement for N$_{2}$. However, the agreement was not that good for H$_{2}$O, CH$_{4}$, and larger molecules and at least part of the problem must be attributed to the OAMO approximation. Consequently, we have dropped the OAMO approximation and have performed a proper numerical average over al orientations. M3DW results both with and without making the OAMO approximation will be compared with experimental measurements.

Authors

  • Adam Upshaw

    Missouri S and T

  • Don Madison

    Missouri S\&T, Dept. of Physics, Rolla, MO, Missouri S and T, Missouri University of Science and Technology