Vibrationally elastic cross sections for electron scattering from water molecules

Differential, integral and momentum transfer cross sections are calculated for the vibrationally elastic scattering of electrons from H2O. An ab initio static potential is used for the interaction. Effects of electron exchange and target polarization are taken into account approximately. In particular, the contribution from the dipole potentials is evaluated carefully so that an accurate cross section is obtained for the forward scattering. Calculations are carried out for electron energies of 6-50 eV and a detailed comparison is made with experimental data. The differential and momentum transfer cross sections calculated are in good agreement with experimental results. The theoretical value of the integral cross section deviates greatly from the measured one. (author)