Future studies on electron scattering; a renaissance

2014 is the centenary of the first announcement of the Franck-Hertz experiment [1], now regarded as one of the pivotal experiments of modern physics. The Franck-Hertz experiment is widely regarded as an experiment that provided validation of the Bohr theory of atomic structure, itself only published in 2013, however it should also be viewed as the first quantitative experiment in electron scattering and the birth of scientific study of atomic and molecular phenomena by collisions. Today we recognize that electron-atom and electron- molecule collisions are prevalent across nature, describing disparate phenomena whilst the exploitation of such collisions underpins many of the technologies upon which modern society relies. The centenary of the Franck-Hertz experiment is thus a suitable opportunity to review both our current knowledge of electron interactions and to consider the directions of future research. In this article I therefore aim to both review our current state of knowledge and look forward, proposing that recent advances are providing something of a renaissance to the field and are vital for emerging technologies as well as answering some of the greatest scientific challenges of the 21st century.

[1]  P. Burke,et al.  R-Matrix Theory of Atomic Collisions: Application to Atomic, Molecular and Optical Processes , 2011 .

[2]  T. Märk,et al.  Bond selective dissociative electron attachment to thymine. , 2005, The Journal of chemical physics.

[3]  N. F. Sir Mott,et al.  The theory of atomic collisions , 1933 .

[4]  Š. Matejčík,et al.  Gas phase low energy electron induced decomposition of the focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) precursor trimethyl (methylcyclopentadienyl) platinum(IV) (MeCpPtMe3). , 2012, Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP.

[5]  E. Illenberger,et al.  Negative ion formation in CF2Cl2, CF3Cl and CFCl3 following low energy (0—10 eV) impact with near monoenergetic electrons , 1979 .

[6]  E. Illenberger,et al.  Electron-induced damage of DNA and its components: Experiments and theoretical models , 2011 .

[7]  Po-Yu Yang,et al.  Interaction of electrons with cisplatin and the subsequent effect on DNA damage: a density functional theory study. , 2014, Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP.

[8]  N. Mott.  The Scattering of Electrons by Atoms , 1930 .

[9]  The molecular universe , 2013 .

[10]  Michael C. McCarthy,et al.  Laboratory and Astronomical Identification of the Negative Molecular Ion C6H– , 2006 .

[11]  Stanislav A. Moshkalev,et al.  Nanofabrication using focused ion and electron beams : principles and applications , 2011 .

[12]  J. Coulter,et al.  Radiosensitising nanoparticles as novel cancer therapeutics--pipe dream or realistic prospect? , 2013, Clinical oncology (Royal College of Radiologists (Great Britain)).

[13]  N. Mason,et al.  Sensitization of 5-bromouridine by slow electrons , 2004 .

[14]  R. M. Mills.  Flame inhibition with electron attachment as the first step , 1967 .

[15]  A. Keller,et al.  On the role of fluoro-substituted nucleosides in DNA radiosensitization for tumor radiation therapy , 2014 .

[16]  Katsumi Kobayashi,et al.  Platinum nanoparticles: a promising material for future cancer therapy? , 2010, Nanotechnology.

[17]  D. Hunting,et al.  Resonant formation of DNA strand breaks by low-energy (3 to 20 eV) electrons. , 2000, Science.

[18]  N. Mason,et al.  The electronic states of cyclopropane studied by (VUV) absorption and electron energy-loss spectroscopies , 1999 .

[19]  D. Mills,et al.  Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy and Surface Vibrations , 1982 .

[20]  R. E. Palmer,et al.  Two-electron dissociation of single molecules by atomic manipulation at room temperature , 2005, Nature.

[21]  G. Schulz.  RESONANCE IN THE ELASTIC SCATTERING OF ELECTRONS IN HELIUM , 1963 .

[22]  Sohan Jheeta,et al.  Electron induced chemistry: a new frontier in astrochemistry. , 2014, Faraday discussions.

[23]  T. Makabe,et al.  Plasma Electronics: Applications in Microelectronic Device Fabrication , 2006 .

[24]  C. Ramsauer,et al.  Über den Wirkungsquerschnitt der Gasmoleküle gegenüber langsamen Elektronen , 1921 .

[25]  Roman Carsky,et al.  Low-Energy Electron Scattering from Molecules, Biomolecules and Surfaces , 2011 .

[26]  Meyer,et al.  Inducing all steps of a chemical reaction with the scanning tunneling microscope tip: towards single molecule engineering , 2000, Physical review letters.

[27]  W. Stickle,et al.  Handbook of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy , 1992 .

[28]  J. Farman,et al.  Large losses of total ozone in Antarctica reveal seasonal ClOx/NOx interaction , 1985, Nature.

[29]  H. Massey.  Scattering of Fast Electrons and Nuclear Magnetic Moments , 1930 .

[30]  T. Gay.  Physics and Technology of Polarized Electron Scattering from Atoms and Molecules 1 , 2009 .

[31]  F. Bisetti,et al.  Kinetic parameters, collision rates, energy exchanges and transport coefficients of non-thermal electrons in premixed flames at sub-breakdown electric field strengths , 2014 .

[32]  S. Samukawa.  Ultimate Top-down Etching Processes for Future Nanoscale Devices: Advanced Neutral-Beam Etching , 2006, 2006 8th International Conference on Solid-State and Integrated Circuit Technology Proceedings.

[33]  N. J. Mason.  Laser-assisted electron-atom collisions , 1989 .

[34]  C. William McCurdy,et al.  Fundamental Electron Interactions with Plasma Processing Gases , 2005 .

[35]  J. Wahlund,et al.  Negative ion chemistry in Titan's upper atmosphere , 2008 .

[36]  A. Gomez,et al.  Combustion and Flame , 2017 .

[37]  T. Märk,et al.  Negative ion formation by low energy electron attachment to gas-phase 5-nitrouracil , 2008 .

[38]  E. Illenberger,et al.  Sensitizing DNA to secondary electron damage: resonant formation of oxidative radicals from 5-halouracils. , 2001, Journal of the American Chemical Society.

[39]  A. Grum-Grzhimailo,et al.  Perfect/Complete Scattering Experiments , 2013 .