Author: Sunirmal Das
Abstract: Electron collisions with atoms and molecules are fundamental to understanding microscopic interactions that govern a wide range of natural and technological phenomena. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the mechanisms underlying electron impact ionization, excitation, and elastic scattering, focusing on their theoretical descriptions and experimental validations. We discuss the evolution of prominent models, such as the Born Approximation, Khare-BEB, and Kim-Rudd BEB, highlighting their applicability to various energy regimes and molecular complexities. Advances in experimental techniques, including time-resolved spectroscopy and electron energy loss measurements, are explored alongside their integration with computational approaches. Emerging trends, such as the use of machine learning and hybrid frameworks, are emphasized for their potential to address challenges in accuracy and scalability. Applications in fields like astrophysics, atmospheric science, plasma technology, and semiconductor processing are discussed, offering insights into both the current state and future directions of electron collision research.
Keywords: Electron Impact Ionization, Collision Cross-Sections, Elastic And Inelastic Collisions, Quantum Mechanical Models, Machine Learning In Physics, Plasma Applications
Page No: 122-144