Band structure effects on the interaction of charged particles with solids

A survey is presented of current investigations of the impact of band struc ture effects on various aspects of the interaction of charged particles wit h real solids. The role that interband transitions play in the decay mechan ism of bulk plasmons is addressed, and results for plasmon linewidths in Al and Si are discussed. Ab initio calculations of the electronic energy loss of ions moving in Al and Si are also presented, within linear response the ory, from a realistic description of the one-electron band structure and a full treatment of the dynamic electronic response of valence electrons. Bot h random and position-dependent stopping powers of valence electrons are co mputed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.