We have analytically computed the energy-loss probability of a fast electron passing near a locally anisotropic hollow nanotube, in the nonretarded approximation. Numerical simulations have been performed in the low loss (below 50 eV) region, and a good agreement with experimental spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy results is reported. We also show the importance of the surface coupling effect and of the local anisotropy of the tubes for the plasmonic response, extending the conclusions previously reported for spherical nano-objects.

• Received 17 April 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.235419