Electron energy-loss spectroscopy on the surface of conducting superlattices in the presence of plasma waves

Abstract

We present calculations for the inelastic scattering of electrons by the surface of binary conductor-conductor periodic superlattices described by local and nonlocal models. The conducting layers consist of metals or highly doped semiconductors and we include their spatial dispersion through the presence of longitudinal plasmons described by a hydrodynamic model. These modes manifest themselves as a series of peaks in the electron-energy-loss spectroscopy spectrum superimposed on the main structure due to the excitation of two coupled surface-plasmon bands. These peaks depend upon the nature of the first layer and are sensitive to the first few layers.