Energy loss mechanisms in low energy electron scattering from W(100) and their use as a surface sensitive spectroscopy

The energy loss spectrum of low energy (0 < E_p < 200 eV) electrons scattered from W(100) has been experimentally investigated, and mechanisms giving rise to the fine structure analyzed using a dielectric response formalism. The dielectric medium is characterized by available optical data and energy band calculations for tungsten. All of the structure for loss energies, w, less than 18 eV is attributed to intra- and interband transitions involving the bulk valence and conduction bands. The surface and bulk plasmon excitations are observed at w = 21 eV and w = 25.5 eV respectively which is in reasonable agreement with the optical data. A very narrow peak in the density of conduction d-band states apparently functions strongly in well defined excitations involving the $\text{5p}\text{3}\text{2}$ and 4f tungsten orbitais and the 2s and 2p orbitais of adsorbed oxygen. These conduction band states form a “window” with which to measure the electronic orbital structure of both the substrate and adsorbate during adsorption and reaction. We demonstrate this for the room temperature adsorption of oxygen on W(100) in which we observe the sequential filling of two electronically inequivalent binding states. The stability of the “d-band window” during thermally activated reaction, and the likelihood of its existence in other transition metals makes this an attractive surface sensitive spectroscopy.