Theoretical and experimental investigation of electron collisions with acetone

We report a joint theoretical-experimental investigation on elastic electron scattering by acetone in the low-and intermediate-energy regions. More specifically, experimental differential, integral, and momentum-transfer cross sections are given in the 30-800 eV and 10 degrees-120 degrees ranges. Theoretical cross sections are reported in the 1-500 eV interval. The experimental differential cross sections were determined using a crossed electron-beam-molecular-beam geometry, whereas the absolute values of the cross sections were obtained using the relative-flow technique. Theoretically, a complex optical potential derived from a Hartree-Fock molecular wave function was used to represent the collision dynamics, and a single-center expansion method combined with the Pade approximant technique was used to solve the scattering equations. Our experimental cross-section data are in generally good agreement with the present calculated data. Also, our calculated grand-total and total absorption cross sections are in good agreement with the experimental results reported in the literature. Nevertheless, our calculations have revealed a strong shape resonance in the B-2(2) scattering channel not clearly seen in the experimental results. Possible reasons for this fact are also discussed.