Joint theoretical and experimental study on positron scattering by isopentane

In this work, we present a joint theoretical and experimental study for positron scattering by isopentane (C _5 H _12 ). These are the first experimental differential cross sections ever measured for the scattering of positrons by the isopentane molecule. The cross-section calculations employed the Schwinger multichannel method in the static plus model polarization potential approximation. The present calculated integral cross sections correctly reproduce the qualitative behavior of the measured total cross sections, while the calculated differential cross sections reproduce the oscillatory patterns observed in the present experimental differential cross sections. The sharp increase, seen in the calculated elastic cross sections as the impact energy goes toward zero, points to the existence of a positron-isopentane bound state, which is consistent with previous experimental results. Graphic abstract