Theory of angular distributions of electrons resonantly scattered by molecules. I. Vibrational and rotational excitation of diatomic molecules

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Abstract
Resonant angular distributions for low-energy electrons scattered by diatomic molecules are derived. For homonuclear molecules, our expression for vibrational excitation is equivalent to those of others. However, we are able to clarify the role of parity favoredness. For heteronuclear molecules, our expressions are new. In particular, they contain only one parameter and are necessarily symmetric about 90°. Furthermore, the individual rotational cross sections within the vibrational band can be determined in terms of the same parameter. Asymmetry about 90° is predicted for these. Finally, a theorem relating these integrated rotational cross sections is derived. Results for the angular distributions are given in tabular form for easy usage.