Differential elastic scattering and electron-impact ionization cross sections of nitrous oxide

Abstract

AbstractWith the aim of providing datasets for simulations of electron transport processes in the upper atmosphere, we measured singly differential elastic electron scattering and doubly differential electron-impact ionization cross sections of nitrous oxide. These measurements were conducted for primary electron energies between 30 eV and 1 keV in the angular range of 20°–150°. Secondary electron energies spanned from 4 eV to approximately half of the primary electron energy. In addition to the measurements, the differential elastic scattering cross sections of nitrous oxide were calculated using the IAM-SCAR + I model. Furthermore, the singly differential and total ionization cross sections of nitrous oxide were obtained by integrating the doubly differential ionization cross sections over emission angle and over both emission angle and secondary electron energy, respectively. These cross sections were compared to calculations performed using the BEB model and to experimental results of other groups, who determined the total ionization cross sections of nitrous oxide by collecting ions generated during electron impact. Graphical abstract