Electron Structure of d-Transition Metals and their Alloys on the Basis of EELS Study

H.B. Kołodziej Institute of Physics, Pedagogical University, Al. Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-201 Częstochowa, Poland

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Analysis of characteristic electron energy losses in reflection from the surface provides information on electron and band structure of the solid state. Study of transition metals, their alloys (Fe-N, Zn-Ni) and amorphous alloys Fe78Si9B13 show that there are two subsets of electron gas characterized by different oscillation frequency. The presence of independent components of volume plasmons corresponding to s and d electrons is an evidence that despite collectivization both the subsets preserve individual features characteristic of the structure of an isolated atom. From the energy losses the following quantities are determined: the effective mass (μ) for particular electron subsets, the Fermi energy (EF), the band widths (δE) for s and d electrons and contribution of the subsets to the metal conductivity (γ). The obtained results for metals are compared to analogous data for alloys both in crystalline and amorphous phase.

DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.88.171 PACS numbers: 61.43.Dq, 71.45.Gm, 78.70.Bj, 79.20.Kz, 72.30.+q