Total cross sections for electron scattering from well-known and exotic molecules

In this review paper, scattering of intermediate to high energy electrons on well-known as well as exotic molecular targets is considered. The ‘additivity rule’ and its modifications for calculating various total cross sections are discussed against the background of an extensive experimental data. The theory succeeds at high impact energies (E _i>100 eV). Tentative upper and lower limits of e-molecule ionization cross sections are identified. Fitting formulas to represent total cross sections as functions of energy are also given.