THEORETICAL ELASTIC COLLISION FREQUENCY BETWEEN ELECTRONS AND NEUTRAL ATOMS IN A CESIUM PLASMA
Abstract
The elastic scattering cross sections and momentum transfer cross sections for the collisions of low energy electrons with atomic cesium have been calculated by the method of phase shifts. The scattering potential, used in the Schroedinger equation, is constructed from one electron-type wave function with appropriate screening constants. In addition to the potential arising because of the atomic electrons, a polarization potential is also used; the effect of exchange is considered only indirectly. This preliminary analysis reproduces the shape of the cross section versus energy curves as reported in some experiments but does not give detailed agreement. The theoretical cross sections are averaged over a Boltzmann distribution of electronic energies in the temperature range from 1000 K to 10,000 K. averaged values of the collision (for momentum transfer) frequency between electrons and cesium atoms are also calculated. All results are presented both in graphical and tabular form. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 22, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0259858
Entities
People
- Lawrence Baylor Robinson
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation