Session EC17 - Scattering From Particles and Surfaces.
ORAL session, Monday morning, March 22
Room 263W, GWCC
Secondary electron emission (SEE) refers to the ejection of low-energy (< \sim 50 eV) electrons from solid surfaces as a result of energetic electron or ion bombardment. Empirical descriptions of SEE generally regard the process as a single phenomenon; fundamentally, however, SEE is the result of multiple underlying mechanisms involving a variety of electron-electron and electron-lattice momentum exchange processes. Details of these processes are as yet poorly understood. Though fundamental theoretical formulations have been offered, their level of detail has thus far exceeded the confirming ability of available data. AR SE spectra measurements may aid in assessing the role of bulk and surface plasmon decay into single-electron excitations, and provide a unique means for investigation of the angular distribution of various subgroups of the SE energy population. A full set of AR spectra for 1.5 keV electrons normally incident on polycrystalline gold has been obtained at USU. Preliminary results are discussed. Funding provided by NASAÕs Graduate Student Researchers Program.