Calculations of electron inelastic mean free paths and stopping powers for several alkali halides (KF, KCl, KBr, and KI) and metal oxides (BeO, MgO, SiOZ, and A1203) have been performed in the 50 eV to 10 keV energy range. The complex dielectric formalism, improved to include the energy gap, was used for estimating the valence part of the transport characteristics, whereas the part related to electron-core interactions was evaluated according to Gryzinski's theory. An extended comparison of these calculations with the available experimental data as well as with other theoretical predictions is presented. Trends of the energy dependence of the inelastic mean free path and stopping power in alkali halides are studied. The role of the plasmon deexcitation process as a source for low-energy electrons in secondary electron emission spectra is discussed. The presented data can be used in Monte-Carlo simulations of electron transport in the considered materials.

A model of electron transport in alkali halides, below 10 eV, is described. It is based on theoretically calculated microscopic cross sections of electron interactions with lattice phonons. Both acoustic and optical scatterings are taken into account, the former being also treated as a quasielastic process that randomizes the electron motion. Monte Carlo calculations based on the model simulate the UV-induced photoelectron emission from CsI. The calculated quantum efficiency and energy spectra are in good agreement with experimental data, in the photon energy range of 6.3–8.6 eV. The probability for an electron to escape from CsI, NaCl, and KCl is provided as a function of its energy and creation depth. A comparison is made between our approach and other phenomenological models.

A model for electron transport and emission in CsI is proposed. It is based on theoretically calculated microscopic cross sections for electron interaction with the nuclear and the electronic components of the solid. A Monte Carlo program based on this model was developed to simulate secondary electron emission induced by x rays and electrons in the energy range of 1 to 10 keV. The calculated secondary emission yields agree with existing experimental data. The model provides all necessary characteristics for the design of radiation detectors based on secondary electron emission. It can be expanded to higher incident energies and other alkali halides.

A microscopic theoretical model is proposed for calculating the characteristics of ultraviolet photoemission and x-ray secondary electron emission induced from CsI photoconverters. This approach is based on a realistic picture of the basic interactions of photons and induced electrons within the material. Both differential and integral emission characteristics, such as energy spectra and quantum efficiencies, are estimated according to the model and are found to agree, in general, with experimental data. The model-calculated photoemission enhancement under high external electric fields is also considered and is fairly compatible with measured values. The applicability of the model in the field of radiation detectors incorporating solid photoconverters is discussed.

No abstract