Monte Carlo calculations of the reflection electron energy loss spectra in gold

Abstract

The reflection electron energy loss spectra in gold have been calculated using a Monte Carlo approach. A description of Monte Carlo simulations based on the dielectric response theory for inelastic volume and surface excitations and the partial wave expansion method for elastic scattering was presented. The influence of surface excitations on the angular and energy spectra of reflected electrons was analysed. These excitations contributed to the energy spectra by single and plural inelastic loss peaks and by the multiple inelastic loss background. Surface plasmons were particularly important for glancing incident or escape electrons. The contribution from surface excitations to the angular spectra was significant for energy losses of a few tenths of an electronvolt but less significant for lower and higher energy losses. The angular spectra revealed single elastic scattering peaks for zero energy loss but flatter multiple elastic scattering curves for large energy losses. In all cases, Monte Carlo simulation results, including surface excitations, agreed very well with experimental data.