secondary electron yield

Secondary electron yield refers to the number of electrons emitted from a material's surface when it’s struck by incident electrons. When an energetic electron hits a surface, it can cause other electrons within the material to be knocked out, producing secondary electrons. The yield measures how many secondary electrons are generated per incident electron. This concept is important in areas like electron microscopy, electronics, and surface science, as it influences how materials respond to electron bombardment, affecting imaging clarity and device performance. A higher secondary electron yield means more electrons are emitted for each incoming electron, impacting material properties and behavior.