Electron impact scattering from pentane molecules and effect of isomerism on cross section

Abstract

In the present article, electron scattering cross sections for n-pentane and its isomers, viz., isopentane (butane-2-methyl), and neopentane (propane-2-2-dimethyl) are reported. The presence of these molecules along with abundant energetic electrons in the atmosphere of Titan make it favorable for many scattering events. Hence, to study the physio-chemical processes taking place in this environment, the cross section data presented here are inevitable. In this work, the cross sections are calculated for a wide energy range. Elastic and momentum transfer cross sections are calculated using group additivity method implemented through spherical complex optical potential formalism, whereas the ionization cross sections are calculated employing the complex scattering potential ionization contribution method. Total cross section is the sum of elastic and ionization cross section. Present calculation includes geometric screening correction to alleviate the overestimation of cross section values arising due to the overlap of atomic electronic charge densities. A reasonable agreement was found between the present values and previous experimental and theoretical results, wherever available.

Keywords

• Electron scattering
• Elastic cross section
• Inelastic cross section
• Pentane
• Isomeric effect
• SCOP