Theoretical calculations of the total and ionization cross sections for electron impact on some simple biomolecules

Abstract

In this paper we report total cross sections (TCS), ${Q}_{T}$, total elastic cross sections, ${Q}_{\mathit{el}}$, and total ionization cross section, ${Q}_{\mathit{ion}}$ for electron impact on water, formaldehyde, formic acid, and the formyl radical from circa $15\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{KeV}$. The results are compared where possible, with previous theoretical and experimental results and, in general, are found to be in good agreement. The total and elastic cross sections for HCHO, HCOOH, and CHO radical are reported.