Characteristic electron energy losses in germanium

The characteristic electron energy loss spectrum of germanium was studied in a transmission type experiment as a function of the changes in structure due to electron bombardment. The structure of the material was characterized by electron micrograph and diffraction techniques. The electron energy loss spectrum of germanium was studied up to 45eV, and loss peaks were observed at 15.7eV and 31.6eV as well as a 6eV carbon loss. The positions of the most intense characteristic energy loss peak at 15.7eV and its first multiple were constant for a large variation in the lattice parameters for the individual films. (author)