Interaction of low energy electrons with platinum surface

Abstract

We present Monte Carlo simulation of low energy electrons backscattered from platinum (Pt) surface. We take into account both elastic and inelastic collisions during the simulation. For the case of the elastic scattering of electrons by Pt atoms we use the static field approximation with non-relativistic Schrodinger partial wave analysis. For the case of inelastic scattering we use the dielectric response formalism. In our simulations the primary electron energy is 250 eV and the incidence angle of the electron beam with respect to the surface is varied between 1 degrees and 90 degrees. The backscattered electron energy loss distributions for primary and as well for secondary electrons and the distribution of maximum electron penetration depths in the Pt sample were calculated using only the bulk and also the surface dielectric function. We found that the maximum attained depth of the electrons is around 20 angstrom, i.e. the electrons are at the vicinity of the surface. Therefore we expect that the experimental data will be close to our simulation using surface-excitations modes. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.