The reflection of slow electrons from a soot-covered surface

The traditional way of reducing electron reflection at metal surfaces is by the deposition of a layer of soot. The reflection coefficient for incident electron energies of less than 24 eV on such soot-covered surfaces has been measured and compared with surfaces coated with colloidal graphite. For electrons of <10 eV the reflection on graphite is about five times larger than on soot. The reflection of visible light on these surfaces suggests that the micro-geometry of covered surfaces is a controlling factor in the reflection of slow electrons.