A Microscopic theory of electron energy loss spectroscopy for a simple metal

Abstract

We present a quantum-mechanical theory for the inelastic scattering of slow electrons by a simple metal surface, due to the coupling to electron-hole pair excitations. The solid surface is described within the self-consistent jellium model, and the self-energy of the beam electrons is modeled by a local step-like optical potential, whose strength is related to the experimental values of the electron mean free path. The calculated reflection electron energy loss spectra show a broadening of the surface-plasmon peak which is in good agreement with measurements at clean aluminum surfaces.