Spectrum of surface-mode contributions to the excitation probability for electron beam interacting with sharp-edged dielectric wedges

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how surface modes contribute to the excitation probability when an electron beam interacts with a sharp-edged dielectric wedge, providing general formulas and numerical results for relevant materials.

Contribution

It introduces general expressions for excitation probability of electron beams near dielectric wedges, including cases inside and outside the wedge, with numerical analysis for specific materials.

Findings

Surface-mode contributions significantly affect excitation probabilities.

Derived formulas applicable to various geometries and materials.

Numerical results illustrate the impact for experimental dielectric materials.

Abstract

The interaction of a nonrelativistic charged particle beam, travelling parallel to the surface of a sharp-edged dielectric wedge is analyzed. The general expressions for excitation probability are obtained for a beam moving along the direction of a symmetry axis, either outside or inside the dielectric wedge. The dielectric function of the medium is assumed to be isotropic, and numerical results are given for the materials of experimental interest.