Exact inclusion of exchange in calculations of cross sections for vibrational excitation of N2 by low-energy electrons

Elastic and inelastic differential and integral cross sections for low-energy vibrational excitation of N-2 by electron impact are calculated by solving vibrationally coupled scattering equations. Unlike previous calculations of this type, which used model-exchange potentials, the present formulation incorporates exchange effects rigorously. The resulting coupled integrodifferential equations are solved using a combination of linear-algebraic and R-matrix-propagator techniques. Theoretical differential cross sections for both resonant and non-resonant scattering are compared to recent absolute measurements by Allan (2005 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 38 3655), with special attention given to the region of the (2)Pi(g) shape resonance near 2.4 eV and to disagreements between theory and experiment at non-resonant energies above this region.