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Electron-impact total, multiple-differential elastic, and ionization cross sections of ammonia: A joint theoretical and experimental study

M. Dinger*

W. Y. Baek

  • *Contact author: mareike.dinger@ptb.de
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Phys. Rev. A 112, 042810 – Published 9 October, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4wbr-p9wk

Abstract

Combined experimental and theoretical studies are performed on the elastic scattering and electron-impact ionization of ammonia (NH3) in the energy range of 30eV to 1keV. Differential elastic scattering cross sections are measured across an angular range of 5∘ to 150∘, while doubly differential ionization cross sections were measured in the angular range of 30∘ to 135∘, with secondary electron energies ranging from 5eV up to about half the primary electron energy. In parallel with the measurements, theoretical calculations of differential elastic scattering and doubly differential ionization cross sections of NH3 are performed using the IAM−SCAR+I approach, the polydcs code, and the distorted wave Born approximation. Reasonably good agreement is observed between the present experimental results and theoretical predictions. Total ionization cross sections, derived by integrating the experimental doubly differential ionization cross sections over the emission angle and secondary electron energies, show excellent agreement with theoretical values obtained using the Binary-Encounter-Bethe model with rescaled orbital binding and mean kinetic energies, and are consistent with experimental data measured by another group using a different method. As a final validation, the sum of the total elastic and ionization cross sections is compared with the recommended total electron scattering cross sections, confirming the consistency of the present experimental results.

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Phys. Rev. A 112, 042810– Published 9 October, 2025
  • Received 4 July 2025
  • Accepted 2 September 2025
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