Calculation of the total ionization cross section and spin asymmetry in electron-hydrogen scattering from threshold to 500 eV

Abstract

We present the total ionization cross section and spin asymmetry at projectile energies ranging from threshold to 500 eV for electron-impact excitation of atomic hydrogen. They are calculated using the convergent close-coupling formalism of Bray and Stelbovics [Phys. Rev. A 46, 6995 (1992)]. Both observables are found to be in complete quantitative agreement with measurements over almost the entire energy range. This is the only electron-atom scattering theory that is able to achieve this result to date.