ELECTRON DAMPING IN SURFACE STUDIES

Electron correlation is responsible for finite lifetimes of excited electrons in crystals. Lifetime energy dependence can be obtained for infinite jellium model and only very recently the first results for an infinite crystal have been evaluated (GW approximation). Here, a phenomenological approach, based on Green functions, is presented. Broadening of local densities of electron states as well as that of angular-resolved photoemission (ARUPS) peaks and very-low-energy-electron diffraction (VLEED) profiles, due to the imaginary component of the optical potential is reviewed and interpreted. Anisotropy of electron damping on crystal surfaces has been found in VLEED as a result of electron channeling along the densely packed (111) surface atomic planes in fcc crystals. Interpretation of peak widths in VLEED-and ARUPS-profiles provides a mean to learn about damping of electrons, excited on crystal surface.