Fast-Electron Spectroscopy of Surface Excitations
Abstract
New theoretical results are presented for the probability of exciting surface oscillations (optical phonons or plasmons) by fast electrons reflected from the surface of a thin crystal film. Both specular and Bragg reflections are considered and the effect of the finite slab thickness is included. The theory explains successfully the energy-loss spectra measured by Powell on metallic surfaces and recent measurements by Ibach on ZnO surfaces.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- February 1971
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.26.229
- Bibcode:
- 1971PhRvL..26..229L