The multipole-extracted adiabatic-nuclei approximation for electron-molecule collisions

Abstract

An extension of the adiabatic-nuclei approximation appropriate for electron collisions with polar molecules is discussed. The method will find most useful application, but is not restricted, to molecules with large permanent dipole moments. Treatment of molecules with small or negligible dipole moments but significant quadrupole moments and/or dipole polarizabilities is also within its purview. The essence of the method consists of extracting the effects of the long-range interactions from the usual adiabatic-nuclei expressions, and reintroducing them in the laboratory frame in a self-consistent manner. The first Born approximation is the simplest, but not the only possible, vehicle for this approach. The method is closely related to the angular frame-transformation method. Illustrative applications are presented.