Calculation of elastic scattering of electrons from argon using an optical potential

Abstract

We use an ab initio complex optical potential to calculate the elastic scattering of electrons from argon at intermediate energies. Such a potential takes into account the loss of incident flux into open inelastic channels. The inclusion of an imaginary absorption potential does not alter the overall shape of the differential cross section but reduces its magnitude at mid-range scattering angles. The resulting differential cross sections are in substantially better agreement with experimental measurements than previous calculations. Detailed results with comparisons to previous work will be presented including the location of the critical minima.