Elektronitörmäys

Elektronitörmäys, also known as electron scattering, is a fundamental process in physics where an electron interacts with another particle, typically another electron, an atom, or a molecule. This interaction involves the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively charged electrons, governed by Coulomb's law. The outcome of an electron collision depends on the energy of the incident electron and the nature of the target particle.

In elastic electron scattering, the total kinetic energy of the system is conserved. The electron changes direction but its speed remains the same. In contrast, inelastic electron scattering involves a transfer of energy. The incident electron can excite the target atom or molecule to a higher energy state, or even ionize it by ejecting one or more of its own electrons. This energy transfer leads to a loss of kinetic energy for the scattered electron.

Electron scattering is a crucial tool in various scientific disciplines. In atomic and molecular physics, it is used to probe the structure and energy levels of atoms and molecules, providing valuable data for theoretical models. In materials science, electron microscopy techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), rely on electron scattering to generate images and analyze the composition and structure of solid materials. Particle accelerators also employ electron beams for experiments, where electron-electron collisions are studied to understand fundamental forces and particle properties. The precise measurement of scattering angles and energies allows physicists to deduce information about the interaction potentials and the properties of the particles involved.