Total cross-sections for electron scattering from iron at 10-5000 eV using a model optical potential

We report calculations on the total (elastic plus inelastic) electron-scattering cross sections in the energy range 10-5000 eV. A model complex optical potential, composed of static, exchange, polarisation and absorption terms, is employed to describe the collision system at each electron energy. The Iron atom is described by Dirac-Hartree-Fock-Slater self-consistent charge density. The complex phase shifts are computed in a variable phase approach. The absorption cross sections are compared with the experimental results. The experimental absorption cross sections are obtained by adding the experimental ionisation cross sections and available experimental excitation cross sections for electron impact of the allowed transitions a 5D → (x, y, z)5 D0, (w, y, z)5 P0. We have good qualitative agreement between our results and the experimental results available below 200 eV. The Born-Bethe parameters are also calculated. Elastic differential cross-sections with and without absorption are also reported at a few selected energies. (orig.)