Elastic and inelastic cross sections for $^{12}$C+CO$_2$ and $^{13}$C+CO$_2$ scattering at superthermal energies

TL;DR

This paper presents quantum-mechanical calculations of elastic and inelastic cross sections for superthermal $^{12}$C and $^{13}$C atoms scattering on $^{12}$CO$_2$, revealing anisotropic and energy-dependent behaviors relevant for energy relaxation.

Contribution

The study introduces a new potential energy surface and applies rotationally close-coupling formalism to compute detailed scattering cross sections for carbon isotopes with CO$_2$ at high energies.

Findings

Elastic cross sections are strongly anisotropic.

Cross sections show significant energy dependence.

Differences between isotopes are up to 2%.

Abstract

We report elastic and inelastic cross sections for fast superthermal $^{12}$C($^3P$) and $^{13}$C($^3P$) atoms scattering on $^{12}$CO$_2$. The cross sections were computed using quantum-mechanical rotationally close-coupling formalism with the electronic interaction described by a newly constructed potential energy surface correlating to the lowest energy asymptote of the complex. State-to-state cross sections, differential cross sections, and derived transport properties of interest for energy relaxation are also reported. The computed elastic cross sections are strongly anisotropic, show significant energy dependence, and differ by up to 2% between the two isotopes of carbon.