Design of an experimental arrangement for the detection of neutral fragments produced in electron molecule collisions.

Existing experimental and theoretical values of the production cross sections of neutral fragments of electron and methane (CH₄) collision have been studied. Possible neutral production cross sections of CH₄ are estimated using the production cross sections of ionic fragments, elastic and total scattering cross sections obtained experimentally by different groups in the electron energy range 100-500eV. The estimated cross sections are in the range of low 10⁻¹⁶ cm² to low 10⁻¹⁷ cm². Using the similar approach with existing theoretical cross sections, above estimated range of neutral production cross sections is confirmed. Using these estimations, the time of flight based experimental arrangement is designed and under development to measure the productions cross section of neutral fragments.