Low Energy Electron Scattering From H2

Abstract

Absolute differential and integrated total cross sections for elastic electron scattering and vibrational excitation of molecular hydrogen have been measured at an incident energy of 1·5 eV. The results are presented and discussed with particular reference to a long-standing impasse which has existed between and within experiment and theory for the near-threshold excitation of the first vibrational state of H2. The integral vibrational cross section is in good agreement (±10%) with previous beam experiments and theory but is some 60% higher than the cross section derived from a swarm analysis.