Low energy electron reflection from tungsten surfaces

Abstract

The incidence of very low energy electrons on metal surfaces is mainly dictated by the phenomenon of quantum mechanical reflection at the metal interface. Low energy electron reflection is insignificant in higher energy regimes, where the more familiar secondary electron emission and electron backscattering processes are the dominant features of the electron-metal interaction. It is a highly controversial subject that has mostly emerged during the last years. In this brief note we examine the source of the controversy, present some basic theoretical considerations, recommend a dataset of reliable experimental results for the reflection of low energy electrons from tungsten surfaces and discuss the suppression of reflected electrons by external magnetic fields in the light of applications in fusion devices.