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Mean Free Paths by Inelastic Interactions, Stopping Powers, and Energy Straggling for Electrons of Energies up to 20 ke V in Various Solids
Author(s) -
Akkerman A. F.,
Chernov G. Ya.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
physica status solidi (b)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.51
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1521-3951
pISSN - 0370-1972
DOI - 10.1002/pssb.2220890142
Subject(s) - electron , atomic physics , excitation , physics , ionization , core electron , monte carlo method , valence electron , free electron model , inelastic mean free path , mean free path , ion , atomic number , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , statistics , mathematics
For the elements C, Be, Mg, Al, Si, K, Ge, Sb, Bi calculations of the mean free paths and stopping powers of low energy electrons are performed. In the computational model Lindhard's formalism of the dielectric response function for pair and plasmon excitation and the classical cross‐section for ionization processes are used. Anomalously high mean free paths and small stopping powers in potassium are found. This behaviour which is connected with low electron concentration in the valence band is expected to hold for all alkali metals. For energies above 10 ke V the calculated d E /dχ agree well with values calculated from the Bethe‐Bloch formula. A Monte‐Carlo method is used for the calculation of the energy loss distribution of electrons passing through thin targets. It is noted that Blunck‐Leisegang's theory fails to render the energy straggling at electron energies below 10 ke V.