Electron-Impact Ionization of Carbon

Abstract

We present ionization cross-sections of collisions between electrons and carbon atoms using the classical trajectory Monte Carlo method. Total cross-sections are benchmarked against the reported experimental data and the predictions of numerically intensive theoretical methods as well as pioneering calculations for this collision system. At impact energies greater than about 100 eV, the present results are in very good agreement with the generalized oscillator strength formulation of the Born approximation as well as with the experimental data. Limitations inherent to a purely classical description of the electron impact ionization process at low impact energies are detected and analyzed, suggesting a clear route for future studies.