Total electron scattering cross sections of alkanes at intermediate energies

The total electron scattering cross sections (TCS) are reported for C2H6 (ethane), C3H8 (propane) and C4H10 (butane) for 300–4000 eV electrons by measurement of the electron-beam intensity attenuation through a gas cell. These experimental TCS are employed to deduce a simple analytical formula to express the TCS of alkanes at intermediate electron energies in terms of the number of carbon atoms, hydrogen atoms and the electron energy. The present experimental TCS are compared with the previous experimental measurements and the predictions of those by theoretical models.