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Title: Radiative interaction of a focused relativistic electron beam in energy-loss spectroscopy of nanoscopic platelets

Journal Article · · Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-IIT, 32000 Haifa (Israel)
  2. Chemical Research Support, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100 (Israel)

A quantum-mechanical scattering theory for relativistic, highly focused electron beams in the vacuum near nanoscopic platelets is presented, revealing an excitation mechanism due to the electron wave scattering from the platelet edges. Radiative electromagnetic excitations within the light cone are shown to arise, allowed by the breakdown of momentum conservation along the beam axis in the inelastic-scattering process. Calculated for metallic (silver and gold) and insulating (SiO{sub 2} and MgO) nanoplatelets, radiative features are revealed above the main surface-plasmon-polariton peak, and dramatic enhancements in the electron-energy-loss probability at gaps of the 'classical' spectra are found. The corresponding radiation should be detectable in the vacuum far-field zone, with e beams exploited as sensitive 'tip detectors' of electronically excited nanostructures.

OSTI ID:
21143610
Journal Information:
Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 78, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.78.045419; (c) 2008 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1098-0121
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English