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Home > Press > Development of Algorithm for Accurate Calculation of Average Distance Travelled by Low-Speed Electrons without Energy Loss that Are Sensitive to Surface Structure

Inelastic mean free path (IMFP) of copper in relation to
electron energy. Theoretical prediction using conventional algorithm
(red band), theoretical prediction using newly developed algorithm (red
solid line), and experimental data with improved accuracy (■).
Inelastic mean free path (IMFP) of copper in relation to
electron energy. Theoretical prediction using conventional algorithm
(red band), theoretical prediction using newly developed algorithm (red
solid line), and experimental data with improved accuracy (■).

Abstract:
The research team consisting of postdoctoral researcher Da Bo, former
postdoctoral researcher Hiroshi Shinotsuka, group leader Hideki
Yoshikawa and special researcher Shigeo Tanuma, Surface Chemical
Analysis Group, Nano Characterization Unit, NIMS; and professor Ding
Zejun, University of Science and Technology of China, has developed a
theoretical algorithm to accurately calculate the average distance
traveled by low-energy/low-speed electrons without energy loss that are
sensitive to the surface structures of materials through which they
travel while retaining their energy information. The results of this
research have been published in Physical Review Letters Vol.113, 063201
(2014). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.063201

Development of Algorithm for Accurate Calculation of Average Distance Travelled by Low-Speed Electrons without Energy Loss that Are Sensitive to Surface Structure

Tsukuba, Japan | Posted on September 11th, 2014

The research team consisting of postdoctoral researcher Da Bo, former postdoctoral researcher Hiroshi Shinotsuka, group leader Hideki
 Yoshikawa and special researcher Shigeo Tanuma, Surface Chemical
 Analysis Group, Nano Characterization Unit, NIMS (Sukekatsu Ushioda,
president); and professor Ding Zejun, University of Science and
 Technology of China, has developed a theoretical algorithm to accurately 
calculate the average distance traveled by low-energy/low-speed
electrons without any energy loss that are sensitive to the surface 
structures of materials through which they travel while retaining their
 energy information. This information on the average traveling distance
is vital in terms of measuring the amount of electrons released from 
materials and gaining information about the depth at which surface
 analysis is conducted.

The nanometer-scale surface layers and interface layers influence the
 properties of various materials such as catalysts, batteries,
semiconductors, sensors and anticorrosion materials. It is imperative to
identify the amount of elements present and chemical bonding state in
these layers in terms of improving the performance of functional 
materials and developing new materials. And to achieve this, it is
 essential to accurately analyze and measure electrons (bonding electrons)
that indicate the state of elements present in the surface and interface
 layers. This procedure involves measurement of bonding electron energy 
extracted from materials due to external stimuli applied to them in such
forms as X-rays and electrons, and of the intensity distribution of that
energy. During this process, it is critical to identify the depth from
the surface at which these measurements were taken. The range of the
 measurement depth can be determined by measuring a physical quantity
 called the inelastic mean free path (IMFP), which defines how far an
electron can travel in a material while retaining its original energy
level in a statistical sense. Experimental and theoretical attempts to 
quantify IMFP have been pursued globally since the 1970s. However, since
 it is difficult to take measurements on low-speed electrons that are
sensitive to the surface structure (especially at 200eV or below), this
 quantification had been an issue for a long time.

In theory, accurate calculation of IMFP in a material is feasible 
provided that the energy loss function of that material is fully known.
 The energy loss function represents the level of interaction between the
material and electromagnetic waves, and is expressed in terms of the
change in the amount of energy lost from electrons and the change in
 momentum due to corresponding scattering events occurring in the
 material. The conventional model function (so-called optical energy loss
 function) only enabled calculating a partial energy loss function under
limited conditions assuming zero-momentum, however, lacking of the
 accompanied changing in momentum as electrons lose energy. As such, this
is an incomplete energy loss function in view of obtaining IMFP. The
 conventional function was particularly problematic when that or similar 
functions were applied to low-speed electrons that are sensitive to the
 surface structure. To overcome this problem, we described the optical
energy loss function in terms of a composite function resulting from
 combining many functions, and also used a new model function that
accurately expresses the change in momentum. With this method, we
 succeeded in determining a nearly complete energy loss function. This
calculation method enabled us to more accurately perform theoretical 
prediction of IMFP compared to the experimental value, which was
 obtained by applying spectrometry (extended X‐ray absorption fine
 structure spectrometry) to low-speed electrons of Copper and molybdenum
at the high-brilliant synchrotron radiation facility, and to explain the
 relationship between energy measurement and the types of materials.
 Through this endeavor, we found a hint to solve this long-lasting 
problem.

Based on this research, more accurate quantification of elements and
analysis of chemical bonding states have become feasible in the several
atom thick surface layer of materials using electrons. The results of
this study will behave been published in the online version of Physical
Review Letters Vol.113, 063201 (2014). 
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.063201.

B. Da, H. Shinotsuka, H. Yoshikawa, Z. J. Ding, and S. Tanuma
Extended Mermin Method for Calculating the Electron Inelastic Mean Free
Path
Physical Review Letters Vol.113, 063201 (2014). 
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.063201.






####

About National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)
Only one Public Institution for Materials Science in Japan

For more information, please click here

Contacts:
Press Office


Inquiry for this research:

Hideki Yoshikawa

Group Leader
Surface Chemical Analysis Group

Nano Characterization Unit
Advanced Key Technologies Division
NIMS
TEL:+81-29-859-2451

FAX:+81-29-859-2723

E-Mail: YOSHIKAWA.Hideki=nims.go.jp
(Please change "=" to

For general inquiry

NIMS Public Relations Office

TEL:+81-29-859-2026

FAX:+81-29-859-2017





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