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The Iterative Schwinger Variational Method Applied to Electron-Molecule Continuum Processes

Citation

Lucchese, Robert Ross (1982) The Iterative Schwinger Variational Method Applied to Electron-Molecule Continuum Processes. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/JS31-4A21. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06062011-113312144

Abstract

We have developed the iterative Schwinger variational method to study electron-molecule scattering problems within the Hartree-Fock approximation. The method is based on the iterative use of the Schwinger variational principle and can obtain exact static-exchange scattering solutions. This approach has been implemented using standard single-center expansion techniques. We present results using the Schwinger variational expression for e-He and e-He+ collisions and find very rapid convergence of the phase shifts with increasing basis set size. We then discuss the iterative use of the Schwinger variational expression and give results for e-H2 and e-H+2 scattering which show very rapid convergence of the iterative method. We have applied this method to low energy 3-CO2 scattering and obtained differential and integral elastic scattering cross sections. We determined that the 2πu shape resonance in this system occurs at an energy of 5.39 eV with a width of 0.64 eV in contrast to previously published static-exchange results.

We have also used the iterative Schwinger variational method to study the valence shell photoionization of N2 and CO2 as well as the K-shell photoionization of CO2. These results agree well with available experimental data. The vibrational branching ratios for photoionization of 3σg level of N2 were found to agree quantitatively with experimental measurements when an adequate number of internuclear spacings were considered. The effects of vibrational averaging on 4σg photoionization of CO2 were also studied. A detailed comparison of the results obtained using the Schwinger method and other theoretical methods for studying photoionization has been made.

The iterative Schwinger variational method has proven to be an accurate and efficient method for obtaining Hartree-Fock level scattering solutions, and it has allowed us to study electron-molecule continuum processes in more detail and for larger systems than previously possible.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Chemistry
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Major Option:Chemistry
Awards:The Herbert Newby McCoy Award, 1981
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Marcus, Rudolph A.
Thesis Committee:
  • McKoy, Basil Vincent (chair)
  • Dervan, Peter B.
  • Weinberg, William Henry
  • Marcus, Rudolph A.
Defense Date:24 September 1981
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSF Graduate Research FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
Exxon Education Foundation Graduate FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:06062011-113312144
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06062011-113312144
DOI:10.7907/JS31-4A21
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:6501
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Benjamin Perez
Deposited On:06 Jun 2011 20:24
Last Modified:18 Jun 2020 18:02

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