Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Differential scattering cross sections for collisions of 0. 5-, 1. 5-, and 5. 0-keV helium atoms with He, H/sub 2/, N/sub 2/, and O/sub 2/

Journal Article · · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6238063

This paper reports the first results of an experimental program established to provide cross section data for the use in modeling various atmospheric processes. Absolute cross sections, differential in the scattering angle, have been measured for collisions of 0.5-, 1.5-, and 5.0-keV helium atoms with He, H/sub 2/, N/sub 2/, and O/sub 2/ at laboratory scattering angles between 0.1/sup 0/ and 5/sup 0/. The results are the sums of cross sections for elastic and inelastic scattering of helium atoms; charged collision products are not detected. Integration of the differential cross section data yields integral cross sections consistent with measurements by other workers. The apparatus employs a position-sensitive detector for both primary and scattered particles and uses a short target cell with a large exit aperture to ensure a simple and well-defined apparatus geometry.

Research Organization:
Department of Space Physics and Astronomy, Rice Quantum Institute, Rice University, Houston, Texas
OSTI ID:
6238063
Journal Information:
J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 90:A11; ISSN JGREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English