Electron scattering by N2 and CO at intermediate energies: 1–10 keV

Semi-empirical total cross sections for electron scattering from N2 and CO in the energy range 1–10 keV have been obtained by combining transmission-beam measurements for impact energies up to 5 keV with an asymptotic behaviour at high energy according to the Born-Bethe approximation. The influence of the forward electron scattering in our experimental systems has been evaluated by means of a Monte Carlo electron transport simulation. This procedure has proved that electrons scattered in the forward direction may be the main error source in total cross section measurements at high energies, even in experiments with reasonable angular resolution. Serious discrepancies with results obtained with Ramsauer-type devices have been confirmed for this energy range.