We present the convergent close-coupling theory for the calculation of electron-helium scattering. We demonstrate its applicability at a range of projectile energies of 1.5 to 500 eV to scattering from the ground state to n≤3 states. Generally, good agreement with experiment is obtained with the available differential, integrated, ionization, and total cross sections, as well as with the electron-impact coherence parameters up to and including the 3 ${}_{}{}^3{}_{}{}^{}$D-state excitation. This agreement is shown to be overall the best of the currently used electron-helium scattering theories. On occasion, some significant discrepancies with experiment are observed, particularly for the triplet-state excitations.

• Received 11 April 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.52.1279