Modelling of the C-60 cage by a square-well potential U-c(r) is a popular approximation. In the literature, some inconsistency is present in choosing the magnitudes of parameters of U-c(r). In the present study, e + C-60 and e + A@C-60 elastic scattering is scrutinized versus the parameters of U-c(r) in order to identify U-c(r) which is best suited for studying electron-fullerene scattering and how the latter can be controlled by tuning the potential.
Electron elastic-scattering phase shifts and cross sections along with the differential and total cross sections and polarization of low-frequency bremsstrahlung upon low-energy electron collision with endohedral fullerenes A@C_60 are theoretically scrutinized versus the nature, size and spin of the encapsulated atom A. The case-study-atoms A are N, Ar, Cr, Mn, Mo, Tc, Xe, Ba, and Eu. They are thoughtfully picked out of different rows of the periodic table. The study is performed in the framework of a model static approximation. There, both the encapsulated atom A and C_60 cage are regarded as non-polarizable targets. The C_60 cage is modeled by an attractive spherical annular potential well. The study provides the most complete initial understanding of how the processes of interest might evolve upon electron collision with various A@C_60. Calculated results identify the most interesting and/or useful future measurements or more rigorous calculations to perform.
The initial insight into electron elastic scattering off endohedral fullerenes A@C60 is gained in the framework of a theoretical approach where the C60 cage is modelled by a rectangular (in the radial coordinate) potential well, as in many other A@C60 studies. The effect of a noticeably weaker electron elastic scattering off A@C60 compared to that off empty C60 or even the isolated atom A itself, as well as a strong sensitivity of e + A@C60 scattering to the spin of the captured atom A are unraveled, for certain kinds of atoms. Obtained results lay out the initial qualitative basis for identifying interesting measurements and/or more rigorous calculations of e + A@C60 elastic scattering to perform.
