The Mechanism of Secondary Electron Emission

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Abstract
It is shown that a simple theory based on the constant energy loss per unit path length of primary electrons accounts quantitatively for the variation of secondary electron emission yield below its maximum value. The theory can be extended formally to include a Bethe-type energy loss at high primary energies. An attempt was made to clarify the present situation concerning the relationship between the secondary electron emission and the atomic structure of the elements, and some new relations are indicated. The mechanism of the secondary emission of insulators and semiconductors is also discussed.