The electron energy loss spectrum and band structure of diamond

The electronic properties of diamond were investigated by energy analysis of a 80 keV beam of transmitted electrons. Plasmon resonance of the valence electrons occurs at 33·3 eV (width ∼ 13 eV), with evidence of interband transitions centred around 10 ev. Peaks were also observed at energy losses of 294, 299 and 306 eV, due to the excitation of K-shell electrons. After corrections for instrumental broadening and plural scattering, the K-excitation spectrum correlates well with densities-of-states calculations of Keown (1966) and Painter, Ellis and Lubinsky (1971).