Electron scattering by nitrogen molecules

The differential elastic and vibrationally inelastic cross sections for e^-N₂ scattering are calculated in the energy range from threshold to 30 eV using the R-matrix method. At low energies the cross sections are dominated by the well known 2 Pi _g resonance. In this energy region non-adiabatic effects due to the coupling of the electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom are included. At higher energies the cross sections are dominated by the ² Sigma _u resonance. In this energy region the adiabatic approximation is appropriate. The cross sections are compared where possible with experiment. In general good agreement is obtained but some discrepancies suggest directions for future work.