Scattering of low- to intermediate-energy positrons from molecular hydrogen

Abstract

Using a complex model potential, we have calculated the total, integrated elastic, momentum transfer, absorption, and differential cross sections for positrons scattered from molecular hydrogen. The widely available software package GAUSSIAN is used to generate the radial electronic charge density of the molecule which is used to produce the interaction potentials. The quasifree absorption potential, previously developed and used for positron-atom scattering, is extended to positron scattering from molecular targets. It is shown that this model potential approach produces accurate results even into the low-energy regime.