Electron scattering and ionization of ozone, O₂and O₄molecules

Abstract

Total cross sections (TCSs) including ionization cross sections for the impact of intermediate and high energy electrons on ozone as well as O, O2 and O4 targets are calculated and compared with available measurements. The calculation proceeds through a complex energy-dependent potential derived from the atomic/molecular electron charge density. The summed total inelastic cross sections determined in this formalism are used to derive total ionization cross sections Qion, as done in our recent work on many other atomic and molecular targets. The present TCS results show good accord with the recent experimental data on e–O3 scattering, but the corresponding ionization results favour the available theoretical rather than the experimental data. Our results on atomic and molecular oxygen show good accord with previous investigations of other workers. Preliminary estimates on O4 are also given.