Theoretical differential cross sectiosn for low energy electron and positron scattering from noble gases: A comparative study

Calculations of cross sections for electron (e{sup -}) and positron (e{sup +}) scattering from He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe at projectile energies below the inelastic thresholds are calculated. The main focus is on the differential cross sections since angular distributions depend sensitively on the choice of optical potentials used in the calculations. Parts of the interaction potentials used in the calculations include new parameter-free correlation-polarization potentials which are (1) based on physical ideas of what correlation-polarization potentials should be, (2) are different for various target gases and (3) are distinct for electron and for positron scattering. The present calculations of differential cross sections predict the locations of the principal maxima and minima with good accuracy and the shapes of the calculated differential cross section curves compare quite well with available experimental cross sections.