Experimental and theoretical elastic cross sections for electron collisions with the C₃H₆ isomers

Abstract

In the present work we report cross sections for electron collisions with the isomers propene (C₃H₆) and cyclopropane (c-C₃H₆). Electron-scattering differential cross sections (DCS) are reported for measurements carried out for energies 1.5-100 eV and the angular range of 20 degrees-120 degrees. Elastic integral cross sections (ECS), DCS, and momentum-transfer cross sections (MTCS) are reported for calculations carried out using the Schwinger multichannel method with pseudopotentials for the energy range of 2.0-40 eV and angular range of 0 degrees-180 degrees. The resemblance of the pi* shape resonance in the cross sections, observed at 1.5-2.0 eV for propene, to those in C₂F₄ and C₂F₄ clearly points to the effect of the double bond in the molecular structures for these molecules. Below 60 eV, we observed clear differences in peak positions and magnitudes between the DCS, ECS, and MTCS for C₃H₆ and c-C₃H₆, which we view as the isomer effect.