Numerical simulation of Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy using a Generalized Multipole Technique

Lars Kiewidt; Mirza Karamehmedović; Christian Matyssek; Wolfram Hergert; Lutz Mädler; Thomas Wriedt

doi:10.1016/j.ultramic.2013.07.001

Numerical simulation of Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy using a Generalized Multipole Technique

Ultramicroscopy. 2013 Oct:133:101-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2013.07.001. Epub 2013 Jul 11.

Authors

Lars Kiewidt¹, Mirza Karamehmedović, Christian Matyssek, Wolfram Hergert, Lutz Mädler, Thomas Wriedt

Affiliation

¹ Foundation Institute of Materials Science (IWT), Department of Production Engineering, University of Bremen, Badgasteiner Str. 3, 28359 Bremen, Germany.

PMID: 23969065
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2013.07.001

Abstract

We numerically simulate low-loss Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) of isolated spheroidal nanoparticles, using an electromagnetic model based on a Generalized Multipole Technique (GMT). The GMT is fast and accurate, and, in principle, flexible regarding nanoparticle shape and the incident electron beam. The implemented method is validated against reference analytical and numerical methods for plane-wave scattering by spherical and spheroidal nanoparticles. Also, simulated electron energy loss (EEL) spectra of spherical and spheroidal nanoparticles are compared to available analytical and numerical solutions. An EEL spectrum is predicted numerically for a prolate spheroidal aluminum nanoparticle. The presented method is the basis for a powerful tool for the computation, analysis and interpretation of EEL spectra of general geometric configurations.

Keywords: Characterization; Computational modeling; Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy; Generalized Multipole Technique; Nanoparticles; Nanoplasmonics.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Electrons
Models, Theoretical
Nanoparticles / chemistry*
Spectroscopy, Electron Energy-Loss / methods*