Electron-scattering cross sections and stopping powers inH2O

Abstract

Total electron-${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ scattering cross sections have been measured from 50 to $5000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ with experimental errors of about 5%. Integral elastic and inelastic cross sections have been calculated over a broad energy range $(1--10\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})$ with an optical potential method assuming an independent atom representation. Dipole rotational excitations have also been included in the framework of the first Born approximation. From a detailed evaluation of the present results and their comparison with previous theoretical and experimental data, a set of recommended integral cross sectional data is provided. By combining these data with an average excitation energy derived from the experimental energy loss spectra, the stopping power of electrons in ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ has been obtained from 5 to $5000\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$.