The interaction of electron beams with solid targets has been studied since the early part of the last century. Present interest is spurred on by the fundamental role played by the electron-solid interaction in - among other areas - scanning electron microscopy, electron-probe microanalysis and Auger electron spectroscopy. This book aims to investigate selected aspects of the interaction of electrons with matter (backscattering coefficient for bulk targets, absorption, backscattering and transmission for supported and unsupported thin films, implantation profiles, secondary electron emission and so on); to study the probabilistic laws of interaction of the individual electrons with the atoms (elastic and inelastic cross sections); to introduce the Monte Carlo method and its use for computing the macroscopic characteristics of the interaction processes. Each chapter compares theory, simulations and experimental data.

The Spin of the Electron.- Elastic Scattering.- Inelastic Scattering.- Electrons Impinging on Solid Targets.- Monte Carlo Simulations.- Matrices and Operators.- The Dirac Notation.- Special Functions.