Absolute electron-scattering total cross section measurements for noble gas atoms and diatomic molecules

Absolute electron-scattering total cross sections for noble gas atoms (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) and H 2 , N 2 , CO, NO, and O 2 molecules have been measured at impact energies between 0.5 and 250 eV by the linear transmission method with the same experimental set-up for all the investigated targets. Generally, our total cross sections have been found to be in good agreement with other data with respect to shape. Some systematic discrepancies in magnitude still exist between results of different groups, especially at the lowest applied energies and in the energy range where the cross sections peak. At these energies, new measurements should be carried out before establishing a reference set of data.