Completing electron scattering studies with the inert gas column:e - Rn scattering and Ionization

TL;DR

This paper provides theoretical electron scattering and ionization cross sections for radon, completing the inert gas series and enabling comprehensive comparisons across noble gases, despite experimental challenges due to radon's radioactivity.

Contribution

It offers the first theoretical electron scattering data for radon, filling a gap in inert gas studies and allowing full comparison across the noble gas series.

Findings

Provides new cross section data for radon

Completes the inert gas electron scattering series

Enables comparison of electron impact data across noble gases

Abstract

Interest in the inert or noble- gas atoms in general arises because they are ideal as test systems for various theoretical models of electron scattering and also since their interaction processes serve as reference for the determination of instrumental responses in electron scattering experiments. The ionization cross section data of ground state inert gas atoms He through Xe are considered to be benchmark data. Our aim in this paper is to provide theoretical results on electron scattering with Radon atoms, as it would complete the studies on the entire inert gas column. That is possible with this particular column only, in view of the preceding literature on He through Xe . Inert gas radon is radioactive, and would be a difficult target for electron scattering experiments. In the present calculations, the complications arising from radioactivity are not considered. We provide hitherto unavailable cross sections on atomic radon, and also provide opportunity of the comparison of electron impact cross sections over all the inert gas targets.