Resonance Phenomena in Electron-Atom Collisions

Depending on the energy of the collision, the scattering of electrons by atoms or atomic ions is the fundamental process in plasma physics, in laser cavities, nuclear fusion reactions, quantum chemistry, astrophysics and the physics of the upper atmosphere. The positions and intensities of resonances yield information on the formation of quasi-stationary autoionizing states. The first two-thirds of this text is devoted to a detailed exposition of the methods of calculating such scattering resonances, introducing a simplified Feshback diagonalization method. Comparisons to other calculational techniques are brought throughout. The final third is a comprehensive review of electron scattering experiments, with data on hydrogen, the alkalis, group II elements, and rare gases (both neutral atoms and atomic cations). The text is written for readers with graduate level experience.

Resonance phenomena have been the topic of a number of reviews, and separate questions have been elucidated in some monographs. But the absence of a bal- anced integral account of the current status of the problem hinders the orientation in this area. The present book is an attempt to fill this gap. The results of investigations of the resonance scattering of electrons by atoms and ions are considered. We compare different theoretical methods of descrip- tion of resonance phenomena, for example, the close-coupling method, R-matrix method, and diagonalization method. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the accuracy of the theoretical calculations and experimental data. Besides the conventional analytical solutions of a multiparticle problem, more recently developed methods, made possible by high speed computers, are discussed in detail. Several computer programs are scrutinized. This book is intended for physicists engaged in the problems of electronic and atomic collisions, and related areas such as plasma and laser physics. It should be of interest to university students and postgraduates.

Scattering of electrons by atoms and atomic ions probes one of the most ubiquitous interparticle interactions. The book is of interest to everyone working in rarefied media (plasma physics, quantum chemistry, astrophysics). It includes a detailed, graduate-level exposition of the theory and a comprehensive review of recent experimental results.