the installation program for version 3.2 was changed so that it would operate on newer versions of the windows operating system. there were no changes or additions to the data in the database although a new about box was added to the main menu. this box shows two references, a 2004 critical review [1] and a 2005 review [2], that discuss evaluations of the compiled data, methods of determination, and uncertainty.

The database calculates parameters for random number generators that provide the scattering angles for Monte Carlo simulations of electron transport in AES, XPS, and other applications. Portable FORTRAN codes for these generators are included. These codes facilitate considerably the development of Monte Carlo programs for simulating electron transport.

This version contained two major changes.

• First, the differential elastic-scattering cross sections, total elastic-scattering cross sections, phase shifts, and transport cross sections were calculated from a relativistic Dirac partial-wave analysis in which the potentials were obtained from Dirac-Hartree-Fock electron densities computed self-consistently for free atoms. This potential is believed to be more reliable than the Thomas-Fermi-Dirac potential used previously [1]. Differences in elastic-scattering cross sections and transport cross sections resulting from this change of potential are described in a review article [1] and briefly in Section VI.
• The second major change in the database is that differential elastic-scattering cross sections, total elastic-scattering cross sections, and transport cross sections are now available for electron energies up to 300 000 eV. As a result, the database should be useful for a wider range of materials-characterization applications that include electron-probe microanalysis and analytical electron microscopy.

In addition, it is possible in Version 3.0 to create and/or print files illustrating variation of differential elastic-scattering cross sections versus scattering angle for one or more elements or for one or more energies. Some of the database screens were redesigned as a result of the increase in the upper electron-energy limit to 300 keV.

The first Web version of the NIST Elastic-Scattering Cross-Section Database