Characteristic Electron Energy Loss Spectra of the Transition Metals, Ti to Cu

Abstract

The characteristic electron energy loss spectra of the elements of the first group of transition metals, Ti to Cu, have been obtained using the reflection technique. In the spectrum of each metal one loss peak is identified as a plasma loss, and another, except in Ti and V, as a lowered plasma loss. Two other series of loss values are associated with ionization of the M1 and M2,3 shells, whilst a peak observed with most metals at about 5 ev loss could be ascribed to ionization of the M4,5 shell. Other losses have been interpreted as due to interband transitions, or as combinations or multiples of other loss values. The plasma loss values were found to agree with the theoretical values of hwp, assuming all 3d and 4s electrons to be `free', for the first elements of the series and then to fall below the predicted values.