Electron scattering from trans 1,3-butadiene molecule: cross-sections, oscillator strength and VUV photoabsorption cross-sections

Electron energy-loss spectra for the butadiene molecule were measured in the scattering angular range of 2.0° to 8.0°, in an energy-loss range from 2 to 50 eV, using 1000 eV incident electrons. The absolute generalized oscillator strength (GOS) and inelastic cross section have been determined for the \hbox{$\tilde{\rm X}^{1}$}˜X1Ag → 11Bu transition. The absolute elastic differential cross section was also determined spanning an angular range from 2.0° to 40.0°. From a small angle electron energy-loss spectrum, the optical oscillator distribution (photoabsorption spectrum) for the butadiene molecule was obtained in the 2 to 100 eV photon energy range. Accurate ab initio calculations have been performed, within the First Born Approximation, for generalized oscillator strength (GOS) and excitation energies for the \hbox{$\tilde{\rm X}^{1}$}˜X1Ag → 11Bu and \hbox{$\tilde{\rm X}^{1}$}˜X1Ag → 21Ag transitions. Our results emphasize the importance of using highly correlated wavefunctions and accurate methodologies in the calculation of the GOS for electron impact-induced electronic transitions in molecules.