Scanning tunneling microscopy in the field-emission regime: Formation of a two-dimensional electron cascade

0522074 - ÚPT 2020 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Werner, W. S. M. - Oral, Martin - Radlička, Tomáš - Zelinka, Jiří - Müllerová, Ilona - Bellissimo, A. - Bertolini, G. - Cabrera, H. - Gurlu, O.
Scanning tunneling microscopy in the field-emission regime: Formation of a two-dimensional electron cascade.
Applied Physics Letters. Roč. 115, č. 25 (2019), č. článku 251604. ISSN 0003-6951. E-ISSN 1077-3118
EU Projects: European Commission(XE) 606988 - SIMDALEE2
Institutional support: RVO:68081731
Keywords : spin polarization * diffraction
OECD category: Atomic, molecular and chemical physics (physics of atoms and molecules including collision, interaction with radiation, magnetic resonances, Mössbauer effect)
Impact factor: 3.597, year: 2019
Method of publishing: Limited access
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/10.1063/1.5128300

The signal generation mechanism of the scanning field-emission microscope has been investigated via model calculations combining deterministic trajectory calculations in the field surrounding the field-emission tip in vacuum, with Monte Carlo simulations of the electron transport inside the solid. This model gives rise to a two-dimensional electron cascade. Individual trajectories of detected backscattered electrons consist of repeated segments of travel in vacuum followed by a re-entry into the solid and re-emission into vacuum after being elastically or inelastically scattered. These so-called electron bouncing events also create secondary electrons at macroscopic distances away from the primary impact position. The signal reaching the detector is made up of elastically and inelastically backscattered primary electrons created near the impact position under the tip and those secondary electrons created far away from it.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0306577