Theory of Plasmon Excitation in the Case of Electron Diffuse Reflection at the Surface

Abstract

A theory is given of the excitation of plasmons by fast electrons in solids with a spatially inhomogeneous surface. The properties of the surface are described similarly as in the theory of the anomalous skin effect. The probability of the excitation of plasmons is expressed through the retarded Green's function of the electric field. The Dyson equation for this Green's function is solved by the Fock method. It is shown that the surface roughness influences the probability of the excitation of the bulk as well as of the surface plasmons. The latter exhibit additional damping due to the surface roughness.

Nature of coherent enhancement of inelastic electron scattering from disordered media

“…21 can be interpreted as the condition of the electron scattering through the double Cherenkov angle. This circumstance has been pointed out in [37]. There is a top value of the vector q (this vector is depicted with dash line MF) at which the vector q drawn from the point F perpendicularly to the segment MF ceases to cross the inner circle.…”

“…In accordance with Eq. 18 of [37], the crossed diagrams, together with corresponding ladder diagrams, contribute to the scattering probability factor…”

“…The case of the ratio / (1 (where is the particle collision frequency and is the particle energy loss) has been considered in [37][38][39]. Recently, the opposite limiting case / '1, that is closer to the usual weak localization (i.e.…”

“…There are two ways to realize this process, since it can either start or end with an inelastic collision. The interference of electron waves associated with these complementary processes has been proved [37,38] to be constructive. It manifests itself in the enhancement of electron scattering through an angle which differs from .…”

Effect of metallic surface microroughness on the probability and spectrum of plasmon excitation by a fast charged particle moving parallel to the surface

“…In the same approximation, the condition for surface plasmon excitation has the form Taking account of the various interactions between oscillating plasma electrons and the lattice, as well as other bulk and surface interactions, complicates solu tion of the equations given above. These issues have been addressed in numerous papers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and reviews [13][14][15][16]. The bibliography cited here repre sents the diversity of existing approaches rather than provides a comprehensive list of publications (which would include hundreds).…”