Electron collisions by metal atom vapours

Differential cross sections (DCS) for the elastic electron scattering and electron excitation of metal atom vapours are presented and discussed. Absolute scale was obtained by normalization procedure where generalized oscillator strengths were fitted to terminate at forward scattering function which leads to optical oscillator strength at zero momentum transfer. DCSs are compared with other available experimental and theoretical results and their importance for our understanding of basic electron atom interactions is pointed out.