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Thermodynamic investigation of an insulator irradiated by a low-energy electron beam

F. Pesty·P. Garoche
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Abstract

The surface of an insulating material irradiated by a beam of low energy electrons charges positively if the yield of secondary electron is greater than unity. For such a dynamical equilibrium, the thermodynamic properties have been investigated by measuring the surface potential in response to a temperature oscillation of the material. It is shown that an oscillation amplitude of 0.4 K at 530 K induces an oscillation of the surface potential of about 0.5 volts. The frequency dependence indicates a monotonous decrease in the response with decreasing frequency, extrapolating to zero at zero frequency. We propose that this modification of the surface charge is driven by the temperature dependence of a gas of charged particles in equilibrium with the vacuum level.

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F. Pesty, P. Garoche. 2006-03-15. Thermodynamic investigation of an insulator irradiated by a low-energy electron beam. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb%2Fe2005-00381-2

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