Electron Loss by Helium Atoms Passing through Inert Gases and Molecular Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen

The Born approximation and free-scattering model have been used to calculate the electron-loss cross section from atomic helium incident on He, Ne, Ar, and Kr atoms and on H₂, N₂, and O₂ molecules. For the molecules the phase difference between the scattered wave emanating from the two atoms has been considered in the separated-atom approximation. The vibrational damping of the molecule is also taken into account. It is shown that the effect of phase is very small.