Total cross section measurement for e-SF₆scattering down to 0.036 eV

Abstract

Absolute total cross sections in the range 0.036 to 1.0 eV were determined in a transmission experiment performed with a time-of-flight spectrometer. Above 0.5 eV, where other measurements are available the agreement is excellent. At lower energies the results can be compared with electron attachment cross sections derived from swarm as well as threshold photoelectron attachment experiments. Extrapolation of the data to energies below 0.02 eV permits comparison with the scattering behaviour of the weakly bound electrons in highly excited (Rydberg) atoms.