Electroninduced

Electron-induced describes processes initiated by the interaction of electrons with atoms, molecules, or materials. When a beam of electrons collides with a target, the incident energy can ionize, excite, or fragment the target, or trigger chemical reactions on surfaces. The resulting outcomes depend on the electron energy, flux, and the properties of the target. Common mechanisms include electron-impact ionization, wherein an electron with sufficient energy ejects another electron, producing positively charged ions; electronic excitation, where electrons promote bound electrons to higher energy levels without removal; and electron attachment or dissociative attachment, creating negative ions or breaking chemical bonds.

In materials science and surface science, electron-induced processes are central to techniques such as electron microscopy, where inelastic scattering yields contrast via energy loss, and electron-induced desorption or deposition on surfaces. Electron-induced X-ray emission and Auger processes arise from relaxation of core holes created by high-energy impacts, enabling surface composition analysis. In mass spectrometry, electron ionization is used to generate characteristic fragment ions for structural identification. Low-energy electrons on surfaces can drive chemical reactions, leading to electron-induced polymerization, crosslinking, or etching; higher-energy electrons enable knock-on damage and sputtering.

Applications span analytical chemistry, nanofabrication, and radiation physics. Researchers study cross sections, energy transfer, and secondary electron yields to model material response. Safety considerations include radiation exposure and shielding when using high-energy electron sources.