Theory of inelastic lifetimes of low-energy electrons in metals

TL;DR

This paper reviews and extends theoretical calculations of inelastic lifetimes of low-energy electrons in metals, including bulk and surface states, using various models and band-structure data.

Contribution

It provides new calculations of inelastic lifetimes in a homogeneous electron gas and reviews recent band-structure calculations relevant to electron dynamics in metals.

Findings

New inelastic lifetime calculations for homogeneous electron gas

Comprehensive review of band-structure effects on electron lifetimes

Analysis of electron-surface and bulk interactions in metals

Abstract

Electron dynamics in the bulk and at the surface of solid materials are well known to play a key role in a variety of physical and chemical phenomena. In this article we describe the main aspects of the interaction of low-energy electrons with solids, and report extensive calculations of inelastic lifetimes of both low-energy electrons in bulk materials and image-potential states at metal surfaces. New calculations of inelastic lifetimes in a homogeneous electron gas are presented, by using various well-known representations of the electronic response of the medium. Band-structure calculations, which have been recently carried out by the authors and collaborators, are reviewed, and future work is addressed.