Primary electron energy dependent flashover in surface polarity on Au films

Abstract

Primary electron energy (E p) dependent change in target current was studied on a grounded Au film in the range of 40 to 3500 eV. The current jumped suddenly from a negative to a positive value at $650 eV with increasing E p , while it disappeared in reverse sweep and with increasing substrate temperature. Detailed analysis suggests that E p dependent surface charging plays a pivotal role in flashover. Prior to critical E p in the forward sweep, a gradual shift of a double peaklike structure towards high kinetic energy region in the secondary electron spectra also confirms surface charging effect. V