Electron collisions with ethylene oxide molecules.

The absolute total cross section (TCS) for electron-ethylene oxide (c-C2H4O) collisions was measured at electron-impact energies extending from 0.7 to 400 eV using the linear electron-transmission technique. In the present TCS energy function a distinct peak is visible near 4.6 eV which may be attributed to formation of a short-lived negative ion. Moreover, at intermediate and high energies the integral elastic (ECS) and ionization (ICS) cross sections were determined numerically. The calculated sum, ECS + ICS, is in good agreement with the experimental TCS in the overlapping energy range. Finally, the present experimental TCS for electron scattering from c-C2H4O is compared with that for its cyclic isoelectronic counterpart c-C3H6, and similarities and differences are pointed out and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]