Energy Dependence of Inelastic Electron Scattering Cross Section by Surface Vibrations: Experimental Measurement and Theoretical Interpretation

Abstract

We report on the first comparison of the inelastic cross section of Ni(001) surface phonons for an extended energy range with a dynamical scattering theory. Both theory and experiment indicate large modulations in the loss cross section as a function of incident energy. The intensity ratio of the ${S}_{4}$ and ${S}_{6}$ surface phonons on Ni(001) is best fitted with a 1.7%-3.3% contraction in the outer-most interlayer spacing.