Anregung von Kristallgitterschwingungen durch Elektronenstrahlen

Abstract

The interaction of electrons with lattice vibrations in thin films of LiF, NaF, MgO, and Al₂O₃ has been studied by means of high resolution electron energy spectroscopy. Just above the excitation energy of the transversal optical modes small bands in the energy loss spectrum are observed. According to the dielectric theory of an unbounded medium only longitudinal optical modes should be excited. The observed energy loss spectrum may be explained by the excitation of surface lattice vibrations. A theoretical energy loss spectrum of LiF has been computed taking into account the surface effects. It is in excellent agreement with the experimental spectrum.

Apart from electrons with energy loss also electrons with energy gain were observed. The intensity distribution of the energy gain spectrum is equivalent to the energy loss spectrum. Energy loss and gain spectra of fast electrons by excitation of lattice vibration are corresponding to the Stokes- and Antistokes lines of spectroscopy of light optics.