Identification of characteristic features in scattering cross sections for the electrons colliding with silver, platinum, and gold atoms

Abstract

A semi-relativistic approach is employed to calculate elastic differential, integral, and momentum transfer cross sections as well as total (elastic plus inelastic) cross sections for the scattering of electrons from silver, platinum, and gold atoms in the energy range 0.1–100 eV. The projectile-target interaction is composed of real (i.e. the sum of static, exchange, and polarization) and imaginary (i.e. absorption) potential. The total optical potential is then used in the solution of the Dirac equation for the scattered electrons. The characteristic features [Ramsauer-Townsend (RT) minimum and shape resonance] which are required for the fundamental understanding of the dynamic processes at the atomic level, are identified in the low energy region. The value of the RT minimum has been correlated with the scattering length to the dipole polarizability of the target atom. The calculated cross sections are compared with available theoretical calculations and experimental measurements in this energy region.