Dunning, F. B.2009-06-042009-06-041994Magugumela, Maurice Todani. "Design and testing of a low-energy spin-polarized electron gun and its application to SPEELS." (1994) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13864">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13864</a>.https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13864A spin-polarized low-energy electron gun with high current transmission is described here and has been applied to SPEELS studies. Current transmission in excess of 40% is routinely achieved. This is a dramatic improvement compared with the $\sim$1% transmission obtained using an earlier electron gun. The high current transmission has allowed SPEELS studies of energy loss mechanisms in low-energy electron scattering from atomically clean metallic surfaces. There are two dominant energy loss mechanisms: dipole scattering which occurs in the vacuum outside the target and impact scattering via electron-hole pair excitation occurring inside the target surface. Preliminary results of SPEELS experiments on Cu(100) and Ag(100) surfaces and on thin films of Mo, Co, and Fe epitaxially grown on a Cu(100) are presented.81 p.application/pdfengCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.Condensed matter physicsThesisTHESIS PHYS. 1994 MAGUGUMELA