Inelastic scattering of fast electrons by spherical surfaces

Abstract

Studies the inelastic scattering of fast electrons by spherical metallic particles or by solids containing spherical cavities. The energy losses are due to the excitation of bulk or surface plasmons. The interaction Hamiltonian between the electron and the plasma oscillations is established and an expression for the loss probability, both for surface and bulk modes, is given. For the latter, the 'Begrenzungseffekt' is taken into account. As a numerical application, the scattering of 50 keV electrons by Al surfaces is treated and compared with experimental results.