Angular distribution of electrons elastically scattered from CH₄

Differential elastic (vibrationally) scattering cross sections of CH₄ by electron impact have been measured using a modulated crossed-beam method. The energy and angular range covered were from 5 to 50 eV and from 12 to 156', respectively. The integrated and momentum transfer cross sections were obtained from the differential cross sections. The present results are compared with the earlier data of Tanaka et al. (1982) and with theoretical results of Lima et al. (1985) and Jain and Thompson (1982). Some discrepancies were found in the measurements and theoretical results.