The characteristic energy loss of electrons passing through metal foils—II

Dispersion relation and short wave length cutoff for plasma oscillations

R. A. Ferrell

ResearchPublished 1956

An attempt to determine the shortest wave length at which plasma oscillations can be sustained by a degenerate electron gas. A method is used to provide a direct quantum mechanical analog to the Bohm-Gross derivation of the dispersion relation. The effect of electron exchange decreases somewhat the dependence of the plasma frequency on wave number. The maximum wave number corresponds sufficiently to the momentum to cause an electron at the surface of the Fermi sea to make a real transition, absorbing one plasma quantum of energy.

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Ferrell, R. A., The characteristic energy loss of electrons passing through metal foils—II: Dispersion relation and short wave length cutoff for plasma oscillations. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1956. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_memoranda/RM1865-AEC.html.
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