PRINCIPLES AND MECHANISMS OF ION-INDUCED ELECTRON-EMISSION

The mechanisms responsible for emission of electron from solids are described, separating them, when possible, into electron excitation, electron transport and cascade multiplication, and transmission through the surface barrier. Discussions include important energy quantities and quantum mechanical effects in the transport of slow electrons in the solid and through the surface barrier. Some new aspects not previously described are explored, such as how much information can be obtained by treating insulators as dense gases, electron loss from the projectile, differences between prompt and delayed excitation processes and final state effects in multiple electron emission.