Electron inelastic-scattering cross sections in liquid water

Electron inelastic-scattering cross-section data for use as input in electron track-structure calculations in liquid water are re-examined and improved. The dielectric-response function used in such cross-sections is estimated on the basis of optical data and other experimental and theoretical information. The mean excitation energy for stopping power is obtained to be 81.8 eV, which is close to the recent experimental value, 79.75 +/- 0.5 eV, of Bichsel and Hiraoka. Inelastic-scattering cross sections are evaluated within the first Born approximation. Electron-exchange effects and semi-empirical corrections to account for non-Born effects at low energies are also incorporated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.