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New theoretical results are presented for the probability of exciting surface oscillations (optical phonons or plasmons) by fast electrons reflected from the surface of a thin crystal film. Both specular and Bragg reflections are considered and the effect of the finite slab thickness is included. The theory explains successfully the energy-loss spectra measured by Powell on metallic surfaces and recent measurements by Ibach on ZnO surfaces.
Lucas et al. (Mon,) studied this question.