Electron absorption spectroscopy method for investigation of dielectric energy structure

The application of electron absorption method for obtaining data on the dielectric energy structure has been investigated. The methods is based on studying the dependence of the reflection factor of slow electrons on their energy r/E/ and the dependence of dr/dE=f(E). The principles and possibilities of the method are illustrated by an example of studying elastic reflection of electrons from a single crystal of sodium chloride. The dependences indicated are given in the range of electron energies of 1-100 eV at 300 deg C. The positions of peaks of the revealed fine structure of curves coincide with the maxima of optical absorption, and also with the peaks of characteristic losses. The electron absorption maxima are attributed to interband transitions resulting from pair interactions between primary and bound electrons. This method requires little time as compared to that of characteristic losses. The energies of primary electrons corresponding to the reflection maxima are in good agreement with the threshold values of E for exciting collective oscillations