Band structure effects on the interaction of charged particles with solids

Abstract A survey is presented of current investigations of the impact of band structure effects on various aspects of the interaction of charged particles with real solids. The role that interband transitions play in the decay mechanism 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 theory, from a realistic description of the one-electron band structure and a full treatment of the dynamic electronic response of valence electrons. Both random and position-dependent stopping powers of valence electrons are computed.