Low-energy electron elastic scattering from complex atoms: Nd, Eu, and Tm

Abstract

The recent Regge-pole methodology, which includes the essential electron correlations, is employed together with a Thomas–Fermi type potential incorporating the vital core-polarization interaction to calculate low-energy (E less than or equal to 1 eV) electron elastic total and Mulholland cross sections for the complex atoms Nd, Eu, and Tm, found to be characterized by subtle Regge resonances, for a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of the near-threshold electron attachment. The binding energies of the complex negative ions Nd–, Eu–, and Tm– formed through the collisions as Regge resonances are extracted for the first time from the resonances and compared with the latest theoretical and experimental values. Ramsauer–Townsend minima, shape resonances, and the Wigner threshold behavior are also obtained.