Elastic Scattering of Electrons by Mercury Atoms

The angular distribution of electrons elastically scattered by single mercury atoms was studied for electrons of 10 to 800 volts energy, and in an angle range of 5° to 172°. The values of the atomic scattering coefficient, $P_{\theta }$ (the number of electrons scattered per atom, per unit electron current density, per unit solid angle at an angle $\theta$ to the original beam) have been computed from the observed scattered currents. New maxima were found in the angle range between 120° and 172°. Practically all of the curves indicate that the value of $P_{\theta }$ rises to a relatively large maximum at or near 180°.