Angular distributions of scattered electrons from gaseous benzene molecules

Recent measurements of the angular distributions for scattered electrons in gaseous benzene have produced elastic (rotationally summed) differential c ross sections over a broad range of angular values and of collision energie s. The present calculations examine the corresponding computed quantities o ver the same energy and angular values and compare them with the measuremen ts. The necessary exchange interaction is included both exactly and via app roximate local models in order to test the reliability of the local model p otentials for such delicate quantum dynamics features as angular distributi ons. Very good overall agreement is found between measurements and the calc ulations presented here. The local model potentials are found to provide go od agreement with the exact exchange calculations at energies above 6.0 eV. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)01046-1].