Excitation of surface plasmons on metals by low-energy electrons: The role of interference effects
- Department of Physics, University of California, Irvine, California 92717 (US)
We present quantitative theoretical studies of the wave-vector dependence of the cross section for excitation of surface plasmons by low-energy electrons incident on the Ag(100) surface. The analysis assumes the dipole mechanism provides the dominant coupling between the electron and the surface plasmon. The theory provides a very good account of the systematic features reported recently by Rocca and Valbusa. As emphasized in earlier theoretical discussions, under conditions used in the experiments, the interference between two excitation channels--- loss then reflection'' and reflection then loss''---enters importantly in the description of the excitation process. In addition, it is essential to include the influence of the image potential on both the amplitude and phase on the scattering amplitude for elastic, specular reflection from the surface.
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG03-84ER45083
- OSTI ID:
- 5410317
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter; (United States), Vol. 44:3; ISSN 0163-1829
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
PLASMONS
EXCITATION FUNCTIONS
SILVER
SURFACE PROPERTIES
DISPERSION RELATIONS
ELECTRON COLLISIONS
ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY
EXCITATION
COLLISIONS
CROSS SECTIONS
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
FUNCTIONS
METALS
QUASI PARTICLES
SPECTROSCOPY
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
360603* - Materials- Properties