Elastic scattering of low-energy electrons by cadmium atoms

Experimental results on the differential cross sections of 180° elastic electron scattering and the total cross section of electron scattering by cadmium atoms in the energy range 0–6 eV are reported for the first time. Distinct shape resonances with the (5s25p)2P0 and 5s5p2 configurations are revealed in the near-threshold range and at E≈4 eV. In the range 3.0–3.7 eV, the differential cross section exhibits extra singularities that are probably related to the d-wave shape resonance. The resonance contribution to the backscattering cross section near 4 eV is found to be about 20%.