Electron—Molecule Collision Process: Review and Perspective of Algebraic Approaches

Abstract

The calculation of the scattering cross section for the electron molecule collision process can be a formidable and not rarely an untreatable task using conventional methods based on integro—differential techniques. Recently, an alternative procedure has been proposed (Bijker et al., 1986) which makes use of an algebraic description of the molecular structure, the Vibron Model (Iachello, 1981), in conjunction with the Glauber diffractive theory for the dynamic of the collision process. This approach, named algebraic—eikonal, has been applied to the calculation of scattering cross sections for several dipolar diatomic targets. The long—range dipole interaction, certainly dominant for the vibrationally elastic process, has been included in the formalism and the relative scattering amplitudes derived.