Screening corrections for calculation of electron scattering from polyatomic molecules

Applicability of the additivity rule for calculation of total cross sections is extended to lower energies by evaluating geometrical screening corrections due to partial overlapping of atoms as seen by the incident electrons. The new proposed procedure allows corrections for overlapping of several atoms in complex molecules. Application of the proposed procedure to N-2, CO, CO2 and benzene cases reveals significant corrections for total elastic and inelastic cross sections in the 10 to 100 eV region, specially for the larger molecules. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.