Excitation of a nearly free electron as a plasmon decay mechanism in proton magnesium collisions

G. A. BOCAN Y J. E. MIRAGLIA

Rosario, Argentina

Conferencia; International conference on photonic, electronic and atomic collisions; 2005

ICPEAC

Abstract A proton traveling inside a metal interacts with the electron gas and can generate collective excitations (plasmons) in it. One of the most important mechanisms for these plasmons to decay is the excitation of a nearly free electron (NFe) that performs an interband transition. Also, the plasmon could transfer its energy and momentum to a pair of interacting free electrons (2e). In this paper we consider proton-magnesium collisions and analize both mechanisms. Total probability (dP/dt) and excitation power (dX/dt) are presented together with first differential spectra in energy and angle. Results for aluminum, sodium and potassium are displayed as well. The role played by characteristics such as crystal structure, electron density and plasmon linewidth is discussed.