Analytical Formulas for Approximating Cross Sections of Electron Collisions with Hydrogen, Noble Gases, Alkali and Other Atoms
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The method described in the article seems to fit the actual cross section quite nicely. However, need of such fitting procedures debatable. Unless the method can predict cross section for unknown targets, the work presented is very average. Hence, I do not find merit in recommending the article for publication if the authors cannot justify its importance.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 1
Point 1: However, need of such fitting procedures debatable.
Response 1: It is difficult to agree with this statement: the analytical approximation of the cross sections is the most convenient form of representation of the results of experimental measurements and analytical studies for estimates and numerical simulation. A whole paragraph is devoted to this issue in the introduction:
The most convenient form of presentation of experimental and computational-theoretical data is the selection of analytical approximations for them. Analytical approximation is the most convenient and simple for computer modeling, for obtaining values at intermediate points. In addition, it allows you to analyze the accuracy of the asymptotic approximation. In [16], such approximations are selected for the cross sections of collisions of electrons with atoms of inert gases, elastic and inelastic.
Point 2: Unless the method can predict cross section for unknown targets
Response 2: The predictive power of the proposed approximations is, of course, not very strong for atoms for which there are no experimental data. But the proposed analytical formulas can significantly expand the energy range of the initial experimental data.
Point 3: if the authors cannot justify its importance
Response 3: Our work on the search for convenient and accurate analytical approximations of experimental data is caused by the urgent need to use them in our modeling of various phenomena in gas-discharge plasma (refs. 31-34). Mathematical processing gives a significant increase in the accuracy of determining the sections due to the filtering of random errors. In addition, the use of analytical approximations is, of course, much easier than performing laborious and expensive experimental measurements.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The paper presents analytical formulae for elastic, ionization and electronic excitation on noble gases and some other atoms by electron impact. The review of experimental data is fairly wide an agreement between fits and the data good. The paper is clear, and potentially quite useful in plasma modelling.
In the title (and in the abstract), please change "and other atoms" - all atoms are elementary.
Par, 4 and 5 tittles should read "one-term" and "two-term", respectively.
Some small adjustments of English are welcome.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 2
We are grateful to the referee for useful comments, the consideration of which allowed us to improve the text
Point 1: In the title (and in the abstract), please change "and other atoms" - all atoms are elementary.
Response 1: We agree with the reviewer's proposal, the title of the article has been changed.
Point 2: Par, 4 and 5 tittles should read "one-term" and "two-term", respectively.
Response 2:
Replaced “1 term” и “2 term” на "one-term" and "two-term", respectively.
Point 3: Some small adjustments of English are welcome.
Response 3: The text has been carefully proofread, spelling and stylistic errors have been corrected.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
This is a useful paper, essentially a collection of fits to results in the literature and as such is of practical value but lacks in novelty. It certainly should be publish my fundamental concern is this the right journal.This I leave to the discretion of the editor.
Author Response
Response to Reviewer 3
Point 1: ...but lacks in novelty.
Response 1: There are no new data on cross sections in the work. But unlike the widely used approximations based on the Born approximation with a logarithmic term, it is proposed to use a new and simpler power dependence, which is also very good in terms of data approximation.
Point 2: my fundamental concern is this the right journal.
Response 2: The magazine "Atoms" in our opinion is suitable. And yet we want to note that compared to the good old days when there were paper magazines, and each of them had its own readership, nowadays keyword search engines and open access make the choice of magazine a completely insignificant factor. The publication in the open access performs all the functions of promulgation the results.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
May be accepted as is.
Author Response
thank you very much...
