Total cross sections for O2 and S2 by electron impact

• A composite model to find total cross section for e–O2 and e–S2 from 0.1 to 2000 eV.
• R-matrix method gives cross section at low energies (<12 eV), including resonances.
• Complex optical potential formalism is used to find cross section at energies >12 eV.
• Result shows reasonable agreement with previous data, wherever available.
• Maiden attempt to find high energy total cross section for S2 molecule (above 12 eV).

We report total cross sections for electron collision with O2 and S2 molecules in the energy range 0.1–2000 eV by combining two theoretical methods. Below the ionization threshold of the target, total cross section is calculated by the ab initio R-matrix method through Quantemol-N software. For intermediate and high energies, we have applied a Spherical complex optical potential formalism. Comparison is made with the available theoretical and experimental data and a reasonable agreement is observed. The high energy cross section for S2 molecule is reported for the first time.