Differential cross sections for electron scattering by excited Ba (...6s6p1P1) atoms

Differential electrons scattering cross sections for excitation and de-excitation of Ba(... 6s6p1P1) excited atoms were calculated at 30 eV impact energy in the unitarized distorted wave approximations using multifiguration wavefunctions. The results are compared to available experimental data. It is found that theory and experiment agree quite well as far as shapes of the differential cross section curves are concerned. For some transitions, even the cross section magnitudes are in agreement, but for others, only order of magnitude agreement is found. Further experimental studies are needed to get a more accurate assessment of the situation. (author)