Critical points in elastic electron-neon atom scattering using distorted wave method with spin-orbit interaction potential

Abstract

Critical points are specific energies or scattering angles at which the scattering cross section shows abrupt changes or distinctive features—such as minima, maxima, or rapid variations—caused by interference between different scattering amplitudes or by changes in the underlying interaction potential. Studying these critical points allows researchers to identify threshold behaviors, detect resonances, and test the validity of theoretical models against experimental data. As a result, critical points help improve the accuracy of cross-section predictions and provide deeper insight into complex collision dynamics, which is crucial for applications in plasma physics, astrophysics, and radiation physics. In this research, we have used the distorted wave method to determine the critical point in the differential cross section for elastic electron-neon atom scattering in the intermediate energy range, which is at . We have employed a complex potential, that consists of an absorption potential, exchange, polarization, spin-orbit interaction, and static potential. The available experimental and theoretical data from the literature are contrasted with our findings. We found that the critical point for elastic electron-neon atom scattering located at ( ) is in good agreement with the experimental findings of Register and Trajmar (1984)