Electron Scattering In Diamond as a Function of Thickness

BackgroundThe electron energy-loss spectrum of a single crystal diamond wedge has been examined, with particular reference to the excitation of plasmon oscillations in the bulk of a diamond crystal. The electron energy-loss spectrum has been previously studied [1], and in particular the ‘low-lo ss’ region of the spectrum shows a number of important features, Fig. 1. The main feature in the energy-loss spectrum is a peak at ∼ 33 eV which corresponds to a plasma resonance of valence electrons. Diamond has 4 valence electrons which yields a value of Ep = 31.0 eV. The upward shift in the resonance energy to 33 eV is caused by single-electron excitation at lower energy-loss values. An important feature is the “bump” at about 23 eV, which has been shown to be an interband transition [2].