Results from a fully relativistic 36-state Dirac $B$-spline $R$-matrix (close-coupling) calculation for $e$-Hg collisions are reported. Angle-integrated and angle-differential cross sections for elastic scattering and excitation of the $\left(6s6p\right){{}^{3}P}_{0,1,2}^o$ and $\left(6s6p\right){{}^{1}P}_1^o$ states are compared to experimental data and predictions from other theories. We generally obtain a significant improvement in the agreement between experiment and theory compared to previous distorted-wave and close-coupling attempts, in particular, for the near-threshold region that is dominated by various $6s6p^2$ negative-ion resonances.

• Received 21 February 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.79.042713