Mean Free Paths and Cross Sections for Electron Scattering from Liquid Water

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Understanding electron interactions with condensed matter is crucial for various fields.
• Liquid water is a ubiquitous and important biological and chemical medium.
• Theoretical models are needed to interpret experimental data on electron scattering in liquids.

Purpose of the Study:

• To theoretically investigate electron collision dynamics with liquid water.
• To calculate cross sections for ionization, inelastic, elastic, and total scattering.
• To explore the application of the spherical complex optical potential formalism to liquid water.

Main Methods:

• Spherical complex optical potential formalism.
• Complex scattering potential-ionization contribution method for ionization.
• Generation of liquid phase electron charge density and static potential.

Main Results:

• Calculated cross sections for ionization, inelastic, and elastic scattering.
• Satisfactory agreement with existing theoretical data for individual channels.
• Novel results for total electron scattering from liquid water.

Conclusions:

• The theoretical framework provides a satisfactory description of electron scattering channels in liquid water.
• The novel findings on total electron scattering require further experimental and theoretical support.
• This work contributes to the understanding of electron-matter interactions in condensed phases.