Electron scattering cross sections and stopping powers in H2

Total electron-H2 scattering cross sections have been measured from 50 to 5000 eV with experimental errors of about 5%. Integral elastic and inelastic cross sections have been calculated with different methods, according to the incident electron energies. For energies up to 40 eV an R-matrix procedure has been used, while for intermediate and high energies (10–10 000 eV) an optical potential method has been applied by assuming an independent atom representation. From a detailed evaluation of the present results and their comparison with previous theoretical and experimental data, a complete set of recommended cross sectional data (elastic, inelastic and total) is provided. By combining the integral cross sections with an average excitation energy derived from the experimental energy loss spectra the stopping power of electrons in H2 has been obtained from 5 to 5000 eV.