Supersurface electron scattering, i.e., electron energy losses and associated deflections in vacuum above the surface of a medium, is shown to contribute significantly to electron spectra. We have obtained experimental verification (in absolute units) of theoretical predictions that the angular distribution of the supersurface backscattering probability exhibits strong oscillations which are an...

We present studies on electron backscattering from the surface of plastic scintillator beta detectors. By using a setup of two detectors coaxial with a strong external magnetic field – one detector serving as primary detector, the other as veto-detector to detect backscattering – we investigate amount and spectrum of unrecognized backscattering, i.e. events where only one detector recorded a tr...

The electron backscattering coefficient of liquid water has been determined for electrons in the energy range 15-30 keV using Quantomix capsules. Values of the mean atomic number for water estimated from a fit to the backscatter yield, the mean ionization potential of water and from Monte Carlo simulations, show that the scattering behaviour of water is not anomalous despite the effects of hydr...

A novel method for detection of hydrogen by an electron beam in extremely thin samples is described. Elastically scattered electrons impinging with 20-30 keV on a thin formvar film were detected at a scattering angle near 45 degrees. In these large momentum transfer elastic collisions a clear separation of the signal of hydrogen and heavier elements was found. By changing the momentum transfer ...