Elastic scattering of electrons from carbon dioxide

Elastic scattering of electrons from a molecule is studied theoretically. Differential, as well as integral and momentum-transfer, cross sections are calculated at the energies 3 - 60 eV. The calculation is based on an ab initio electrostatic potential taken with the approximate effects of electron exchange and target polarization. The fixed-nuclei approximation is made and the coupled channel equations are solved for partial waves. The resulting cross sections are satisfactory in the energy range 10 - 60 eV, when compared with experimental data. The resonance structure at around 4 eV is not well reproduced by the present calculation. Detailed comparisons are also made with previous theoretical works.