Scattering of a diatomic molecule by a stationary surface

The CCGM [N. Cabrera, V. Celli, F.O. Goodman and R. Manson, Surface Sci. 19 (1970) 67] theory of elastic scattering (diffraction) of atoms by surfaces is generalized to the case of scattering of diatomic molecules. No extensive applications of the theory are made, but an example considered by R.M. Logan [Mol. Phys. 17 (1969) 147] of the scattering of a low-energy beam of h₂ by a cold surface is re-examined in the context of the new theory. It is concluded that, because of the uncertainties in the form of the molecule-surface interaction potential and in the values of the interaction parameters, no quantitative reliance can be placed on calculations of molecule-surface scattering probabilities at the present time. Future comparisons with experimental data should help to reduce these uncertainties.