Two-dimensional R-matrix propagator: Application to electron-hydrogen scattering.

The two-dimensional {ital R}-matrix propagator of Le Dourneuf {ital et} {ital al}. [J. Phys. B {bold 23}, L559 (1990)] is generalized to arbitrary angular momenta and applied to the study of electron-hydrogen collisions at energies up to the {ital n}=5 threshold. Results are presented for phase shifts, resonance positions and widths, as well as cross sections for partial waves of total angular momenta {ital L}{le}3. The stability and efficiency of the method are established. A comparison is made below the {ital n}=3 threshold with results from other theories. Agreement is very good, in particular with the results of a finite-difference numerical integration of the Schr{umlt o}dinger equation by Wang and Callaway [Phys. Rev. A {bold 50}, 2327 (1994)]. Partial cross sections for {sup 1}{ital S} between the {ital n}=3 and 5 thresholds illustrate the potential of the method for studying excitation into high Rydberg states. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}