Oscillations in the integral elastic cross sections for scattering of protons at inert gases

Abstract

Oscillations in integral elastic cross sections for collision energies in range 10{sup -4}-1 eV are a general feature appearing in many atomic collision systems. We illustrate its generality by proton scattering on multielectron atoms such as He, Ne, and Ar atoms. Expressing the sum over partial waves in the integral cross section in terms of the Mulholland identity and calculating all contributions to the formula we show that the Regge oscillations are a quantum-mechanical feature of the cross sections, the other features being of quasiclassical nature.