Total cross sections for electron scattering from molecules: ${\rm NH}_{3}$ and ${\rm H}_{2}{\rm O}$

Abstract

By developing the semi-empirical formula recently obtained for total cross sections of electron scattering from diatomic molecules in the intermediate- and highenergy range, we calculate the total cross sections for electron scattering from molecules (NH3 and H2O) over an incident energy range of 10–1000 eV. The total cross sections have also been calculated by using the complex optical potential and the additivity rule. Compared with other available experimental and calculating data, excellent agreements have been achieved. The developed semi-empirical formula reflects that total cross sections for electron scattering from NH3 and H2O in the intermediate- and high-energy range quantitatively depend on the bond length.