Electron exchange in binary encounter collision theory

Abstract

The cross-section formulae for transfer of energy and momentum between a pair of free colliding electrons in an arbitrary frame in non-relativistic quantum mechanics have been derived. These formulae are applied in the electron-atom binary encounter collision theory in order to obtain the quantum-mechanical differential and total cross-section formulae for electron-atom collisions. This work represents an advance over the work of Gryzinski in that it includes interference between direct and exchange terms. Moreover, in the application some influence of the nucleus is taken into account since use is made of the symmetrical collision model. The interference term in the application to the binary encounter theory of electron-atom collisions corrects an earlier form of this term.