Quantum Size Effect under Normal Incidence of a Medium-Energy Electron Beam onto a Growing Heteroepitaxial Film

The reflectance of medium-energy (similar to 10 KeV) electrons at their normal incidence onto a growing single-crystal thin film has been calculated. It is shown that in this case a quantum size effect occurs, which manifests itself in harmonic oscillations of the reflected beam intensity. The oscillation amplitude and period depend on the thickness of the growing film and the energy of the incident electrons. The results obtained are graphically illustrated.